Does linear algebra leave you feeling lost? No worries --this easy-to-follow guide explains the how and the why of solving linear algebra problems in plain English. From matrices to vector spaces to linear transformations, you'll understand the key concepts and see how they relate to everything from genetics to nutrition to spotted owl extinction.

Line up the basics -- discover several different approaches to organizing numbers and equations, and solve systems of equations algebraically or with matrices
Relate vectors and linear transformations -- link vectors and matrices with linear combinations and seek solutions of homogeneous systems
Evaluate determinants -- see how to perform the determinant function on different sizes of matrices and take advantage of Cramer's rule
Hone your skills with vector spaces -- determine the properties of vector spaces and their subspaces and see linear transformation in action
Tackle eigenvalues and eigenvectors -- define and solve for eigenvalues and eigenvectors and understand how they interact with specific matrices

Open the book and find:

Theoretical and practical ways of solving linear algebra problems
Definitions of terms throughout and in the glossary
New ways of looking at operations
How linear algebra ties together vectors, matrices, determinants, and linear transformations
Ten common mathematical representations of Greek letters
Real-world applications of matrices and determinants

Auteur

Mary Jane Sterling is the author of numerous For Dummies books. She is a lecturer at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where she has taught courses in algebra, calculus, and other mathematics topics for almost 30 years.

Résumé
Learn to:

Solve linear algebra equations in several ways
Put data in order with matrices
Determine values with determinants
Work with eigenvalues and eigenvectors Your hands-on guide to real-world applications of linear algebra Does linear algebra leave you feeling lost? No worries this easy-to-follow guide explains the how and the why of solving linear algebra problems in plain English. From matrices to vector spaces to linear transformations, you'll understand the key concepts and see how they relate to everything from genetics to nutrition to spotted owl extinction.
Line up the basics  discover several different approaches to organizing numbers and equations, and solve systems of equations algebraically or with matrices
Relate vectors and linear transformations  link vectors and matrices with linear combinations and seek solutions of homogeneous systems
Evaluate determinants  see how to perform the determinant function on different sizes of matrices and take advantage of Cramer's rule
Hone your skills with vector spaces  determine the properties of vector spaces and their subspaces and see linear transformation in action
Tackle eigenvalues and eigenvectors  define and solve for eigenvalues and eigenvectors and understand how they interact with specific matrices Open the book and find:
Theoretical and practical ways of solving linear algebra problems
Definitions of terms throughout and in the glossary
New ways of looking at operations
How linear algebra ties together vectors, matrices, determinants, and linear transformations
Ten common mathematical representations of Greek letters
Real-world applications of matrices and determinants