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Title: Introduction to Linear Algebra by Gilbert Strang ISBN: 0-9614088-5-5 Publisher: Wellesley Cambridge Pr Pub. Date: August, 1998 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $70.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.76 (17 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Too much emphasis on "discovery"
Comment: With only two days from my final exam in Linear Algebra, I figured it's a good time to review this text, briefly. I really like the author. I enjoyed watching the video lectures at the MIT website associated with this book, given by the author himself. The problem is that he doesn't explain the topics as clearly in the text as he does in his lectures. There is entirely too much emphasis on the "discovery" approach. Instead of just clearly explaining many of the important subjects like Determinants and Eigenvalues/Eigenvectors, he chooses to leave the student in the dark to "discover' these for himself or herself. I don't mind this method in small doses. However, it ends up being a frustrating experience when trying to do homework assignments. He dips into the abstract without warning, draws many conclusions that require one to read the sections over and over again, trying to grasp the concept. In future editions, I would recommend removing some of these more difficult concepts from the problem sets and, instead, placing them into the text where they really belong.
As a final example, I would appreciate it if Dr. Strang would link-up the concepts of Column Space, Nullspace, etc to Orthogonals to Eigenvalues/Eigenvectors in some way....How about a two or three page sidebar that ties them together. This would have made the subject much clearer than it is in this edition.
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent Book on Linear Algebra
Comment: Gilbert Strang (author) is a professor at my school and well respected in his field. This book provided me with all the tools that I needed to be successful in my Linear Algebra class. Since the professor who was teaching it at the time didn't speak English very well, I simply stopped going to lecture and read the book instead. I credit my grade in the class to Strang's well written and insightful approach to Linear Algebra.
Rating: 5
Summary: Exactly what is needed
Comment: Dr. Strang's book is, hands down, the best introductory Linear Algebra text on the planet. Other reviewers complain about the "discovery" approach and the conversational style; in my view, these are strengths not flaws.
First of all, we have lost our way with modern mathematics texts by all but eliminating the idea of discovery. Nothing can strengthen the learning and understanding of mathematical material more than having to "find out for yourself" what is going on. Absent that process, one can only reach a superficial understanding of the topic at best.
Second, it's refreshing to see a truly conversational approach. Once again, there are too many dry definition-theorem-proof texts out there ... they're maybe appropriate for a more advanced exposition, not for an introduction.
In many ways I agree with Dr. Strang that we teach too much calculus and not enough linear algebra. The former has been the standard sequence for undergraduate mathematics for years; nifty stuff but seldom, if ever, seen outside the classroom. Linear algebra, on the other hand, is alive and well in industry and just may be the most useful set of mathematical tools available to the technical types.
Everone studying or using linear algebra would find time spent with Dr. Strang's book an excellent time investment.
And for those not liking discovery or conversation, maybe you should try a different course of study ... you've missed the boat on this one!!
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Title: Linear Algebra and Its Applications by Gilbert Strang ISBN: 0155510053 Publisher: International Thomson Publishing Pub. Date: 1988 List Price(USD): $106.00 |
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Title: Introduction to Applied Mathematics by Gilbert Strang ISBN: 0961408804 Publisher: Wellesley Cambridge Pr Pub. Date: January, 1986 List Price(USD): $72.50 |
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Title: Calculus by Gilbert Strang ISBN: 0961408820 Publisher: Wellesley Cambridge Pr Pub. Date: January, 1991 List Price(USD): $70.00 |
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Title: 3,000 Solved Problems in Linear Algebra by Seymour Lipschutz ISBN: 0070380236 Publisher: McGraw-Hill Trade Pub. Date: 01 January, 1989 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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Title: Linear Algebra and Its Applications (3rd Edition) by David C. Lay ISBN: 0201709708 Publisher: Pearson Addison Wesley Pub. Date: 18 July, 2002 List Price(USD): $108.00 |
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