Kevin Preston5.0 out of 5 starsNot the most efficient way to learn, could use better language.Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2022Verified PurchaseIn my opinion:It's good but, the concise format (small short book) has all explanations, examples and definitions limited to a formal compact form, and it is this brevity that gives the book its deficiencies in communicating Linear Algebra.I have learned the concepts much faster watching the swath of free tutorials online, like Dr. Aviv Censor or MIT open course-ware, and using Gilbert Strang's Linear Algebra Book.Examples could use more expounding, with more statements linking concepts together for coherence and understanding, preferably with more basic common vocabulary (informal style) instead of the typical academic bombastic style (formal style).Read more3 people found this helpfulHelpfulReport abuse
P.when('A', 'cr-image-popover-controller').execute(function(A, imagePopoverController) {A.on("a:popover:beforeShow:R3DGN1032S14PV_gallerySection_main", function(data) {imagePopoverController.initImagePopover("R3DGN1032S14PV", "[https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71JKLQwluFL._SL1600_.jpg]", data);});});4 people found this helpfulHelpfulReport abuse
WU.5.0 out of 5 starsLet their education begin!Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2016Verified PurchaseExcellent textbook for a second look at linear algebra from a strictly theoretical standpoint. It size is small enough so that one may comfortably carry it around and promptly, effortlessly smack around fools that utter: "linear algebra! that's just y =mx + b!!! LOLZ".Their education is the responsibility of us all, and how often we forget the old ways...The proofs are clear but do require the reader to fill in some gaps. This is intended. Open to any page and witness the clarity that so often escape the best efforts of a certain class of instructor; Axler will not suffer any unmotivated concepts. Everything builds from previous definitions until there's just enough structure to flesh out the chapter objectives, thus there's little fat to distract the reader.Moreover, Axler is so badass that he does away with determinants until the last chapter of the book, he's so pimp he just didn't need any stinking determinants in his proofs. That's right, the last chapter introduces trace and determinants and proceeds to bring everything together into a magnificent mic drop.I now finally understand why determinants are inextricably tied to notions of volume, and why we must multiply by the Jacobian when performing change of variables in multi-variable integrals, and so on.A newcomer to linear algebra will get very little of use here, save for the clearest definitions I've ever seen regarding the structure of vector spaces, subspaces and linear operators. For a more applied/introductory approach to linear algebra, one can do much worse than Strang.I now feel much more comfortable moving onto a graduate-level Linear algebra course after visiting Axler's book, as such, it will be an invaluable reference moving forward.Read more64 people found this helpfulHelpfulReport abuseSee all reviewsTop reviewsMost recentTop reviewsTop reviewsMost recentTop reviewsTop reviewsMost recentTop reviewsTop reviewsTop reviewsTop reviewsTop reviewsKevin Preston5.0 out of 5 starsNot the most efficient way to learn, could use better language.Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2022Verified PurchaseIn my opinion:It's good but, the concise format (small short book) has all explanations, examples and definitions limited to a formal compact form, and it is this brevity that gives the book its deficiencies in communicating Linear Algebra.I have learned the concepts much faster watching the swath of free tutorials online, like Dr. Aviv Censor or MIT open course-ware, and using Gilbert Strang's Linear Algebra Book.Examples could use more expounding, with more statements linking concepts together for coherence and understanding, preferably with more basic common vocabulary (informal style) instead of the typical academic bombastic style (formal style).Read moreIn my opinion:It's good but, the concise format (small short book) has all explanations, examples and definitions limited to a formal compact form, and it is this brevity that gives the book its deficiencies in communicating Linear Algebra.I have learned the concepts much faster watching the swath of free tutorials online, like Dr. Aviv Censor or MIT open course-ware, and using Gilbert Strang's Linear Algebra Book.Examples could use more expounding, with more statements linking concepts together for coherence and understanding, preferably with more basic common vocabulary (informal style) instead of the typical academic bombastic style (formal style).Read more3 people found this helpfulHelpful3 people found this helpfulHelpfulHelpfulReport abuseReport abuseReport abusemackncheesiest5.0 out of 5 starsA Fantastic Second Pass at Linear AlgebraReviewed in the United States on October 11, 2015Verified PurchaseI used this book in my second course in linear algebra, and I absolutely loved it.One of my biggest points of irritation in my first course in linear algebra was the fact that we first defined determinant as some unintuitive, computational nonsense and then defined eigenvalues from there. Judging off of the foreword, Axler essentially wrote this book so that students like myself could gain some peace of mind.The material is developed wonderfully, in my opinion -- it was much more intuitive than my first pass at linear algebra, and the problems within the book (at least those that my professor assigned) were commonly quite good. On top of that, it was one of the first math textbooks I've owned that I could legitimately sit down and read rather than, say, fall asleep or come away more confused than when I first started reading. The proofs are *mostly* quite readable, and Axler definitely has an enjoyable writing style. Whether it's the little surprises like getting to page 22 and seeing it labeled "~7pi" (there are other easter eggs of that variety, by the way) or writing an anecdote from the supreme court where one of the justices is caught up on the word "orthogonal" inside the chapter on inner products and norms (p. 174), he certainly does his best to make reading the book enjoyable.Apart from the material itself, though, as others have mentioned, the book is also just plain looks nice. I purchased a hardcover edition (which I believe may be the only style printed for the 3rd edition), and whether it's the outer cover or the typeset they use inside, everything just has a nice, colorful pop to it. Coming in at ~330 pages and ~6.5W x 9.5H x 0.8D inches, the book is also compact, an aspect that made carrying it to and from campus each day a trivial task.As a whole, I have essentially nothing but praise for this text. Some may have wanted a linear algebra text that's more computationally intensive, but I'd rather gain the conceptual understanding that Axler has to offer than manually row reduce or invert some arbitrary matrix any day. I absolutely don't want to sell my copy -- this text is one that I'm going to be happy to leave on my bookshelf and use as a reference whenever I find myself needing to freshen up on my linear algebra later in life.Read moreI used this book in my second course in linear algebra, and I absolutely loved it.One of my biggest points of irritation in my first course in linear algebra was the fact that we first defined determinant as some unintuitive, computational nonsense and then defined eigenvalues from there. Judging off of the foreword, Axler essentially wrote this book so that students like myself could gain some peace of mind.The material is developed wonderfully, in my opinion -- it was much more intuitive than my first pass at linear algebra, and the problems within the book (at least those that my professor assigned) were commonly quite good. On top of that, it was one of the first math textbooks I've owned that I could legitimately sit down and read rather than, say, fall asleep or come away more confused than when I first started reading. The proofs are *mostly* quite readable, and Axler definitely has an enjoyable writing style. Whether it's the little surprises like getting to page 22 and seeing it labeled "~7pi" (there are other easter eggs of that variety, by the way) or writing an anecdote from the supreme court where one of the justices is caught up on the word "orthogonal" inside the chapter on inner products and norms (p. 174), he certainly does his best to make reading the book enjoyable.Apart from the material itself, though, as others have mentioned, the book is also just plain looks nice. I purchased a hardcover edition (which I believe may be the only style printed for the 3rd edition), and whether it's the outer cover or the typeset they use inside, everything just has a nice, colorful pop to it. Coming in at ~330 pages and ~6.5W x 9.5H x 0.8D inches, the book is also compact, an aspect that made carrying it to and from campus each day a trivial task.As a whole, I have essentially nothing but praise for this text. Some may have wanted a linear algebra text that's more computationally intensive, but I'd rather gain the conceptual understanding that Axler has to offer than manually row reduce or invert some arbitrary matrix any day. I absolutely don't want to sell my copy -- this text is one that I'm going to be happy to leave on my bookshelf and use as a reference whenever I find myself needing to freshen up on my linear algebra later in life.Read more17 people found this helpfulHelpful17 people found this helpfulHelpfulHelpfulReport abuseReport abuseReport abuseJuan Florez4.0 out of 5 starsLow quality bookbindings again! If you already know Linear Algebra, this book may be boring...Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2021Verified PurchaseI think that the book bindings were made with cheap materials, taking into account that this book costs 40+ dollars, and probably made in United States. I expected that the book will be sewn in blocks and then glued. This book is only glued and sheets can fell apart if you fully open the book. You can compare this book crafting with a more cheap Dover book but instead with a hard cover, such a pain. I recommend that the bookbinding should be specified in the item description. This kind of books (hardcovers) and specially those of mathematics must last for many decades!Read moreI think that the book bindings were made with cheap materials, taking into account that this book costs 40+ dollars, and probably made in United States. I expected that the book will be sewn in blocks and then glued. This book is only glued and sheets can fell apart if you fully open the book. You can compare this book crafting with a more cheap Dover book but instead with a hard cover, such a pain. I recommend that the bookbinding should be specified in the item description. This kind of books (hardcovers) and specially those of mathematics must last for many decades!Read moreJuan Florez4.0 out of 5 starsLow quality bookbindings again! If you already know Linear Algebra, this book may be boring...Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2021I think that the book bindings were made with cheap materials, taking into account that this book costs 40+ dollars, and probably made in United States. I expected that the book will be sewn in blocks and then glued. This book is only glued and sheets can fell apart if you fully open the book. You can compare this book crafting with a more cheap Dover book but instead with a hard cover, such a pain. I recommend that the bookbinding should be specified in the item description. This kind of books (hardcovers) and specially those of mathematics must last for many decades!Images in this review
Rahul Madhavan5.0 out of 5 starsOne of the best books in all of mathematicsReviewed in India on February 14, 2020Verified PurchaseTruth is we in India think we are taught linear algebra from our schools, but are never taught linear algebra. What we are taught is to manipulate a certain set of numbers put in a matrix form that gives us answers for unknown reasons.Linear Algebra is beautiful. Much of it comes from geometry. But who is to know that based on what we are taught? Enter Axler. He painstakingly builds up your base in various topics like set theory, fields, bases, dimensions, projections to enable you to get to a point where you re-understand a part of maths that is lost to you, because of the way it has been taught.LADR is not complete - it doesn't cover everything. But what it does cover is built. Not just in the book, but in the reader. It won't be an easy read. But when you are done with about 130 pages of this book, you will get a fresh perspective on all of LA. and LA is pervasive in all of maths. Further, LA is pervasive in much of CS, and in all of machine learning. Getting into those fields without a complete understanding of LA is like entering a flower garden without a sense of smell.Why Linear Algebra?Matrix Algebra tells you how to get the numbers that you want. Linear Algebra tells you why you get them.Bonus: I believe Linear Algebra Done Right is Springer's best seller across all the mathematics textbooks that it sells (saw this in an old excel sheet shared by springer with a publisher).Recommendation:1. For self study: Do Gilbert Strang if you want to get through your exams. But Strang is not rigorous. If you really like mathematics, there is no better book to start your journey in Linear Algebra than Axler.2. For college courses: Should be primary text for undergraduate LA students.Read more47 people found this helpfulReport abuse
mezastel5.0 out of 5 starsBest second book on linear algebraReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2016Verified PurchaseThis is a good SECOND book on linear algebra. This book will be relevant for mathematicians rather than engineers because it offers a structured, in-depth look at linear spaces, mappings and all related topics. I really like the way the book is structured: it is always clear, and examples of unintuitive topics (like linear maps) are always done in such as way as to make them easily understandable. I enjoyed the book and so will you.Read more7 people found this helpfulReport abuse
Vipin Zamvar5.0 out of 5 starsbrilliant textbookReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2018Verified Purchasethoroughly recommend for anyone studying linear algebra and geometry. Very clear and easy to read lay out with exercises and answers.Read moreReport abuse
In the realm of mathematics, linear algebra emerges as a fundamental pillar, providing a powerful framework for understanding and manipulating vector spaces, matrices, and linear transformations. This field has far-reaching applications across diverse disciplines, ranging from physics and engineering to economics and computer science, making it an indispensable tool for researchers, practitioners, and students seeking to delve into the intricate world of linear relationships.
Algebra 2: Linear + Quadratics by Pineapple + Friends is the perfect way to learn Algebra 2. This workbook contains bite-sized lessons on transformations of functions, modeling linear functions, solvi...
Introduction to Linear Algebra (Classic Version) (Pearson Modern Classics for Advanced Mathematics S...
Introduction to Linear Algebra (Classic Version) (Pearson Modern Classics for Advanced Mathematics Series) is an essential textbook for students studying linear algebra. This fifth edition of the book...
Linear Algebra: Step by Step is a comprehensive guide to the fundamentals of linear algebra. It is designed to provide an accessible yet rigorous introduction to the subject, with a focus on understan...
Linear Algebra and Optimization for Machine Learning: A Textbook is an essential resource for graduate level students and professors in computer science, mathematics, and data science. This textbook i...
The Manga Guide to Linear Algebra is the perfect way to learn about linear algebra in a fun and engaging way. Follow Reiji and Misa as Reiji tutors Misa in linear algebra, with memorable examples like...
The Manga Guide to Linear Algebra is the perfect way to learn about linear algebra in a fun and engaging way. Follow Reiji and Misa as Reiji tutors Misa in linear algebra, with memorable examples like...
Introduction to Applied Linear Algebra: Vectors, Matrices, and Least Squares is a groundbreaking textbook that provides an innovative approach to teaching linear algebra. This book requires no prior k...
Linear Algebra and Its Applications is a comprehensive textbook designed to help students gain a thorough understanding of the subject. It introduces traditional linear algebra concepts in a familiar,...
Linear Algebra and Its Applications is a comprehensive textbook designed to help students gain a thorough understanding of the subject. It introduces traditional linear algebra concepts in a familiar,...
Essential Math for Data Science: Take Control of Your Data with Fundamental Linear Algebra, Probability,...
Essential Math for Data Science: Take Control of Your Data with Fundamental Linear Algebra, Probability, and Statistics is the perfect resource for anyone looking to master the math needed to excel in...
Introduction to Linear Algebra by Gilbert Strang is an essential textbook for undergraduate students of mathematics, engineering, economics, and other related fields. The fifth edition includes numero...
Practical Linear Algebra for Data Science: From Core Concepts to Applications Using Python
Practical Linear Algebra for Data Science: From Core Concepts to Applications Using Python is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to understand the core concepts of linear algebra and how they a...
Linear and Geometric Algebra (Geometric Algebra & Calculus) is a textbook for the first undergraduate linear algebra course. It presents a unified treatment of linear algebra and geometric algebra, wh...
Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (Dover Books on Mathematics)
Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (Dover Books on Mathematics) is a comprehensive textbook that combines two important topics of modern mathematics into one volume. Written for...
The Solutions Manual for A Linear Algebra Primer for Financial Engineering provides detailed solutions to every exercise from the book. This manual is an invaluable resource for those looking to deepe...
Combinatorial Matrix Theory (Advanced Courses in Mathematics - CRM Barcelona) is a book that contains the notes of the lectures delivered at an Advanced Course on Combinatorial Matrix Theory held at C...
.usDeliver toRepublic of KoreaDeliver toRepublic of KoreaBooksENENHello, sign inAccount & ListsReturns& Orders0CartAllBooksAdvanced SearchNew ReleasesBest Sellers & MoreAmazon Book ClubsChildren's Boo...
Linear algebra is an essential branch of mathematics that deals with linear equations, linear transformations, matrices, and vectors. It has extensive applications in various fields, including physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and statistics. The study of linear algebra requires thorough understanding and knowledge of mathematical concepts, which can be gained through comprehensive textbooks written on this subject. Given the importance of linear algebra, choosing the right book is critical in a student's academic journey. In this article, we discuss valuable tips that will guide you when selecting a linear algebra book.
Tip 1: Understand your Learning Style
There are three primary learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Each of these styles involves different techniques for learning, and it is wise to select a book that aligns with your learning style. If you are a visual learner, you may prefer books that have extensive illustrations, infographics, and other visual aids. For auditory learners, books with audio recordings or those that have explicit language explanations may appeal to them. Kinesthetic learners are hands-on and may benefit from books with exercises and several examples to solve.Tip 2: Read Reviews
Reading reviews of a book before purchasing it can give you an insight into what to expect. The reviews are from people who have used the book, and they offer honest opinions about the book content, structure, and organization. Additionally, the reviews often highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the book, which can guide you in making an informed decision.Tip 3: Consider the Author
The credibility of the author is vital when selecting a linear algebra book. Expert authors are familiar with the subject area and have an in-depth understanding of linear algebra. They can simplify the concepts, explain them in understandable language, and provide practical applications. Before buying, research the authors and find out their credentials, experience, and published works. If they are recognized experts, then you can proceed to purchase their book.Tip 4: Check the Book Curriculum
Linear algebra is a vast subject with diverse topics that range from basic concepts like matrices to advanced topics like eigenvalues and eigenvectors. It is necessary to check the book curriculum to ensure that it covers the topics you need. A good book should have a clear content structure, and the chapters should build on each other logically. It would be best to choose a book that matches your learning objectives and has a comprehensive outline of the topics covered.Tip 5: Look for Self-paced Learning Aids
Most students find learning linear algebra challenging, and self-paced learning tools can be an advantage. These tools consist of online platforms or software that offer exercises, quizzes, and instructional videos that supplement the book content. They provide a broad range of learning resources, including visual aids, interactive examples, and hands-on applications. Therefore, it is helpful to choose a book that has self-paced learning aids since they can provide an effective learning experience.Tip 6: Look at the Level of Mathematical Rigor
The level of mathematical rigor in a linear algebra book is critical since it affects the ease of learning. Some books explain the concepts in simple terms, while others go into detail about the mathematical proofs and derivations. A beginner may find the latter challenging, and a book that is too advanced may be overwhelming. Therefore, it is essential to choose a book that aligns with your mathematical level.Tip 7: Check the Availability of Additional Resources
Apart from the book itself, additional resources can supplement your learning, such as solution manuals, instructor resources, and study guides. You can consult these resources to get more information about the concepts or to understand the problems in the book. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a book that has adequate support materials that can assist you in mastering linear algebra.Conclusion
Linear algebra is a fundamental branch of mathematics, and choosing the right book to study is critical for students. The selection process can be overwhelming, but by using the tips provided above, you can make an informed decision. Understanding your learning style, reading reviews, choosing an experienced author, considering the book curriculum, looking for self-paced learning aids, checking the level of mathematical rigor, and the availability of additional resources are essential factors to consider when selecting a linear algebra book. By following these tips, you can choose a book that caters to your learning needs and helps you on your journey to mastering linear algebra.Related Topics You Might Like
