P R E F A C E
This textbook is an expanded version of
Elementary Linear Algebra
, Ninth Edition, by Howard Anton. The first ten chapters of this book are identical to the first ten chapters of that text; the eleventh chapter consists of 21 applications of linear algebradrawn from business, economics, engineering, physics, computer science, approximation theory, ecology, sociology,demography, and genetics. The applications are, with one exception, independent of one another and each comes with a list of mathematical prerequisites. Thus, each instructor has the flexibility to choose those applications that are suitable for his or herstudents and to incorporate each application anywhere in the course after the mathematical prerequisites have been satisfied.This edition of
Elementary Linear Algebra
, like those that have preceded it, gives an elementary treatment of linear algebra thatis suitable for students in their freshman or sophomore year. The aim is to present the fundamentals of linear algebra in theclearest possibleway; pedagogy is the main consideration. Calculus is not a prerequisite, but there are clearly labeled exercisesand examples for students who have studied calculus. Those exercises can be omitted without loss of continuity. Technology isalso not required, but for those who would like to use
MATLAB
, Maple,
Mathematica
, or calculators with linear algebracapabilities, exercises have been included at the ends of the chapters that allow for further exploration of that chapter'scontents.
SUMMARY OF CHANGESIN THIS EDITION
This edition contains organizational changes and additional material suggested by users of the text. Most of the text isunchanged. The entire text has been reviewed for accuracy, typographical errors, and areas where the exposition could beimproved or additional examples are needed. The following changes have been made:
Section 6.5 has been split into two sections: Section 6.5 Change of Basis and Section 6.6 Orthogonal Matrices. Thisallows for sharper focus on each topic.
A new Section 4.4 Spaces of Polynomials has been added to further smooth the transition to general lineartransformations, and a new Section 8.6 Isomorphisms has been added to provide explicit coverage of this topic.
Chapter 2 has been reorganized by switching Section 2.1 with Section 2.4. The cofactor expansion approach todeterminants is now covered first and the combinatorial approach is now at the end of the chapter.
Additional exercises, including Discussion and Discovery, Supplementary, and Technology exercises, have been addedthroughout the text.
In response to instructors' requests, the number of exercises that have answers in the back of the book has been reducedconsiderably.
The page design has been modified to enhance the readability of the text.
A new section on the earliest applications of linear algebra has been added to Chapter 11. This section shows how linearequations were used to solve practical problems in ancient Egypt, Babylonia, Greece, China, and India.
Hallmark Features
Relationships Between Concepts
One of the important goals of a course in linear algebra is to establish the intricatethread of relationships between systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vectors, linear transformations, andeigenvalues. That thread of relationships is developed through the following crescendo of theorems that link each newidea with ideas that preceded it: 1.5.3, 1.6.4, 2.3.6, 4.3.4, 5.6.9, 6.2.7, 6.4.5, 7.1.5. These theorems bring a coherence tothe linear algebra landscape and also serve as a constant source of review.
Smooth Transition to Abstraction
The transition from to general vector spaces is often difficult for students. Tosmooth out that transition, the underlying geometry of is emphasized and key ideas are developed in beforeproceeding to general vector spaces.
Early Exposure to Linear Transformations and Eigenvalues
To ensure that the material on linear transformationsand eigenvalues does not get lost at the end of the course, some of the basic concepts relating to those topics aredeveloped early in the text and then reviewed and expanded on when the topic is treated in more depth later in the text.For example, characteristic equations are discussed briefly in the chapter on determinants, and linear transformations fromto are discussed immediately after is introduced, then reviewed later in the context of general lineartransformations.
About the Exercises
Each section exercise set begins with routine drill problems, progresses to problems with more substance, and concludes withtheoretical problems. In most sections, the main part of the exercise set is followed by the
Discussion and Discovery
problemsdescribed above. Most chapters end with a set of supplementary exercises that tend to be more challenging and force thestudent to draw on ideas from the entire chapter rather than a specific section. The technology exercises follow thesupplementary exercises and are classified according to the section in which we suggest that they be assigned. Data for theseexercises in
MATLAB
, Maple, and
Mathematica
formats can be downloaded fromwww.wiley.com/college/anton.
About Chapter 11
This chapter consists of 21 applications of linear algebra. With one clearly marked exception, each application is in its ownindependent section, so that sections can be deleted or permuted freely to fit individual needs and interests. Each topic beginswith a list of linear algebra prerequisites so that a reader can tell in advance if he or she has sufficient background to read thesection.Because the topics vary considerably in difficulty, we have included a subjective rating of each topic—easy, moderate, moredifficult. (See “A Guide for the Instructor” following this preface.) Our evaluation is based more on the intrinsic difficulty of the material rather than the number of prerequisites; thus, a topic requiring fewer mathematical prerequisites may be ratedharder than one requiring more prerequisites.Because our primary objective is to present applications of linear algebra, proofs are often omitted. We assume that the readerhas met the linear algebra prerequisites and whenever results from other fields are needed, they are stated precisely (withmotivation where possible), but usually without proof.Since there is more material in this book than can be covered in a one-semester or one-quarter course, the instructor will haveto make a selection of topics. Help in making this selection is provided in the Guide for the Instructor below.
Supplementary Materials for Students
Student Solutions Manual, Ninth Edition
—This supplement provides detailed solutions to most theoretical exercises and to atleast one nonroutine exercise of every type. (ISBN 0-471-43329-2)