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Linear Algebra and Its Applications, 3rd Updated Edition (Book & CD-ROM) |  | Author: David C. Lay
Publisher: Addison Wesley
List Price: $141.33
Buy Used: $88.03
as of 9/4/2010 20:16 CDT details
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New (31) Used (54) from $88.03
Seller: penntext
Rating:  32 reviews
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 3
Pages: 576
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.4
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 8.2 x 1
ISBN: 0321287134
Dewey Decimal Number: 512.5
EAN: 9780321287137
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Linear algebra is relatively easy for students during the early stages of the course, when the material is presented in a familiar, concrete setting. But when abstract concepts are introduced, students often hit a brick wall. Instructors seem to agree that certain concepts (such as linear independence, spanning, subspace, vector space, and linear transformations), are not easily understood, and require time to assimilate. Since they are fundamental to the study of linear algebra, students' understanding of these concepts is vital to their mastery of the subject. Lay introduces these concepts early in a familiar, concrete Rn setting, develops them gradually, and returns to them again and again throughout the text so that when discussed in the abstract, these concepts are more accessible.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 32
 The clearest of the bunch May 5, 2009
Schriftsteller
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I'm familiar with three linear algebra textbooks: Gilbert Strang's Linear Algebra and Its Applications, Georgi E. Shilov's Linear Algebra, and now this one. It was recommended to me by one of my brothers, who had the author as a professor at the University of Maryland - College Park.
Gil Strang's book is very well regarded, and I like it, too. However, as a writer, Strang tries a little too hard to be friendly and colloquial. As a result, some of his explanations are less clear than they need to be. It helps that videos of his linear algebra lectures are on the Web at [...], and those lectures clarify some of the "folksy" wording in the textbook. Strang obviously loves his subject and knows it thoroughly, but those qualities, however admirable, do not substitute for clear writing.
Georgi E. Shilov's book is also highly regarded, by me as well. Shilov is one of those no-nonsense Russian mathematicians who's all about the subject and doesn't care if you like him or not. As a result, his writing is very clear and straightforward, albeit a little stiff and formal even in translation. The great virtues of Shilov's book are that the writing is clear and it's very rigorous: in fact, a reader would do well to have some familiarity with abstract algebra before starting it. But the book's virtues are also its weakness: because of the rigorous treatment, Shilov offers considerably less conceptual hand-holding than Strang. Yes, you can understand what he's talking about, but you'd sure better have a strong mathematical background, time, and self-confidence to plow through his book, especially if it's on your own.
Which brings us, finally, to the Lay book. I am delighted to report that Lay combines the informal, encouraging tone and conceptual hand-holding of the Strang book with the clarity of the Shilov book. In other words, they're all good, but for most undergraduates, Lay is the best of the three. There's also an excellent study guide (Linear Algebra and Its Applications: Study Guide (update))for the Lay book.
An easy understanding of Linear Algebra January 29, 2006
William Byrd (Sitting in the Pope's office)
17 out of 21 found this review helpful
I wanted to give this book four and half stars but I cannot do that so I just rounded up. When I first started trying to learn Linear Algebra on my own, I was a little lost. After having enrolled in the course at my college, coupled with reading this book, I have a better understanding of it now. I am not a math major so I have no use for proofs and theorems. You may here others complain that this book does not offer any of that, this book, I believe, was designed for those other than math majors. Math professors can teach you the proofs and theorems if you need those, but this book focuses on other aspects, hence the title...and Its Applications.
Lay, lays out each chapter in several subsections that cover a wide variety of topics. Each example he gives is helpful to some extent, this is why I wanted to give him 4.5 stars, but not completely. However, Lay provides a wealth of resources through his web site, which well makes up for anything missing from his book. The companion web site offers several programs for downloading, I believe free of charge. These programs are available for MATLAB, Mathematica, Maple and the TI calculators. It also has other student resources as well. In addition to the web site, there is an included cd that provides detailed solutions to every third problem in the book.
Overall, this is a very good book that allows the student to easily comprehend the world of linear algebra.
Simply the best February 13, 2010
hot4hypatia (29.48 N , 98.51 W)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I have heard students complain about how unhelpful this book is and professors complain that it is too easy.
I strongly disagree with both.
I am very well acquainted with the following introductory texts: Strang, O'Nan, Leon, Larson and Lay. As a student, I learned initially from the O'Nan text, then transferred colleges and had to repeat the class with the Strang text. As a professor, I have taught out of the 3 remaining texts. I have also examined the text written by Kolman.
Lay's Ch. 1 is an extraordinary result: he creates an overview that unites all the main ideas that comprise linear algebra.
No other text I know of comes near the breadth or clarity he achieves in this opening chapter. This chapter alone makes the book worth owning.
I also want to answer those who attack the Student Study Guide. It one of the few I have seen that is actually written by the author. It is likewise excellent and provides answers and hints for all the most critical problems in the text. I highly recommend it as well. I require it when I teach using the Lay text.
I have convincingly achieved my best classroom outcomes using the Lay text. I have actually covered most of the first 6 chapters and the first 2 sections of Ch. 7 at the junior college level in one semester with a decent group of students who were often slowed down by a group of underachievers in the class.
In summary, students who do not like this book will be hard pressed to find anything better- just pick up one of the competing texts used in colleges today and try to read it. Lay is by far the most 'user-friendly' text, he is clearly attempting to engage his readers. Unfortunately, most students at this level do not have enough experience at this point to make an informed judgement about the quality of a mathematics text or the quality of a mathematics teacher.
Professors who do not appreciate this text are an even more puzzling group. I can only surmise that the teachers in this group do not understand the ideas or the focus of an introductory class in linear algebra very well and are simply teaching without thinking.
This is one of the best math books that I have ever read February 9, 2010
Rahav Dor
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have read, in details, many math books. This one stands on the top echelon. Extremely good explanations, superior examples, and it takes the space to write about the details.
Some books will brush you off with sentences such as "this is clearly true", "this is trivial", and other nonsense that authors allow themselves to just put worthless book in the market. Hey, we were not be studying this subject if it was trivial. You will NOT find this in this book. Everything is explained !!!
I also found it an excellent book to keep in your personal library. It is a good reference.
A very good introduction to linear algebra July 31, 2007
Robert W. Molt Jr.
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
The highest quality of a book is the ability to teach yourself from it. Lay's book is very self-teachable because it is written in a non-pretentious, explanatory way, making sure you get the big picture while making sure you can do the little details. It reminds me of Griffiths books in physics.
It is a little proof light, so I can respect that a mathematician who is into analysis might find this book too easy. Problems aren't too hard but aren't too easy for the more conceptual questions.
And I appreciate that the problems are meant to test your ability to understand the material, not do mindless calculations that I know anyone can do. For example, some matrices will just start off already diagonalized for you in later chapters.
This is written from the perspective of a physicist. I thus say to my fellow scientists that this is a great book to gain a good understanding of the linear algebra. If you are an experimentalist who frankly wants to learn only what he needs to in order to get by, THEN THIS BOOK ISN'T FOR YOU. This book develops from scratch everything you need to know for undergraduate physics. Go read a Differential Equations book and learn as you go for the linear algebra. If you're a theorist, this is for you.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 32
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