Matrix algebra (Math 160.51), Fall 2008 course page

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Primary course information

Course title: Matrix algebra
Meeting times: TTh (5:35-6:50pm)
Meeting place: HW-411
Office hours: Tuesday at 4-5pm in HE-924
Textbook: Leon, "Linear Algebra with Applications"


Exam dates

First midterm: Tuesday, October 7 (pdf)
Second midterm: Thursday, November 13 (pdf)
Final exam: Take-home Tuesday, December 16; Turn-in Friday, December 19 before 5pm (pdf)

Final exam instructions:

  • You may not use human resources (each other, tutors, etc.)
  • You may use written resources (the book, wikipedia, etc.)
  • Do not copy written references directly; what you write must be in your own voice
  • In problem 4, you are given a choice; choose only one and mark it clearly!
  • Email me corrections, and I'll post them here. Check back for updates!


Grading

Exams: Each exam counts for about 1/4 of your grade.

Homework: Homework will count for about 1/4 of your grade. I will assign and collect homework on a week-to-week basis. Much of the homework will be graded credit/no-credit. A few problems of greater importance will be graded carefully. There will be roughly eleven homeworks, out of which I'll drop your lowest.


Courses topics

(Not necessarily in order)

  • Systems of linear equations
  • Row reduction of matrices and echelon forms
  • Vectors in Euclidean space
  • The matrix of a linear transformation
  • The determinant of a matrix
  • Linear independence and bases
  • Spanning sets, range and null space
  • Change of basis
  • Eigenvectors and diagonalization
  • Applications

Homework 01, due Tuesday, September 02

Solve the three systems of linear equations from class. (Let me know if I have made a mistake in transcribing them.)

  1. The one about least squares: 28m+12b-48=0, 12m+6b-20=0
  2. The one about tables and chairs: 2T+3C=600, 5T+2C=500
  3. The one about traffic flow: x1+4=x2+5, x2+2=x3+2, x3+3=x4+3, x4+4=x1+3


Homework 02, due Thursday, September 11

§1.1: 1-3, 6abd, 9, 10
§1.2: 2, 5a-d, 7, 13


Homework 03, due Thursday, September 18

§1.2: 6, 9, 10, 19
Also do problem 1.2.3, and express your answers in parametric vector form.


Homework 04, due Thursday, September 25

§3.2: 9abd, 10abc, 11
§1.3: 1a-c, 4


Homework 05, due Tuesday, October 07

§1.3: 1ef, 2
§4.2: 2, 3, 4


Homework 06, due Thursday, October 23

§1.4: 9ab(i), 10abeh, 11a, 12a


Homework 07, due Thursday, October 30

§2.2: 3, 7
§3.2: 4(c)
§3.3: 2, 12


Homework 08, due Thursday, November 6

§3.3: 11
§3.4: 4, 5, 10
§3.6: 1, 8


Homework 09, due Tuesday, November 18

§3.5: 1, 2, 5
§4.3: 1abc, 3, 4


Homework 10, due Tuesday, December 02

§6.1: 1abcgh, 2, 22


Homework 11, due Tuesday, December 09

§6.2: 1ac
§6.3: 1cd, 20 (look also at 21, 22)