Module Identifier MA21410  
Module Title LINEAR ALGEBRA  
Academic Year 2000/2001  
Co-ordinator Dr R J Douglas  
Semester Semester 2  
Pre-Requisite MA11010  
Mutually Exclusive MX31410  
Course delivery Lecture   19 x 1hour lectures  
  Seminars / Tutorials   3 x 1hour example classes  
Assessment Exam   2 Hours (written examination)   100%  
  Resit assessment   2 Hours (written examination)   100%  

General description
In this module the concept of a vector space is introduced. This develops some ideas which have occurred in the first year course. It will be seen that superficially different problems in mathematics can be unified. For example, the solution of systems of linear equations and linear diffential equations are essentially the same process and can be dealt with simultaneously in this context.

Aims
To develop some matrix theory techniques which have occurred in the first year courses in an abstract setting. To introduce the concepts of a vector space and a mapping between vector spaces. To develop further techniques for computation in vector spaces and to show that this is the correct framework to consider linear problems in a unified way.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, a student should be able to:

Syllabus
1. VECTOR SPACES: Definition and examples, subspaces, linear independence, basis and dimensions.
2. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS: Definition and examples, the matrix of a linear transformation, change of basis. The kernel and image of a linear transformation, rank and nullity. The rank of a matrix.
3. INNER PRODUCT SPACES: 3-dimensional geometry, Euclidean and unitary spaces. Orthogonality and Gram-Schmidt orthogonalisation process.
4. DIAGONALISATION OF MATRICES: Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, characteristic equation. Diagonalisation of symmetric matrices, quadratic forms.

Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Text
Howard Anton & Chris Rorres. (2000) Elementary Linear Algebra: Applications Version. 8th edition. J Wiley
** Supplementary Text
T S Blyth and E F Robertson. Basic Linear Algebra. Springer
Allenby, R B J T. Linear Algebra. Edward Arnold
Whitelaw,T A. An Introduction to Linear Algebra. Blackie
Morris, A O. Linear Algebra - An Introduction. Chapman and Hall
Grossman,S I. Elementary Linear Algebra. Wadsworth
Gillet, Ph. Introduction to Linear Algebra. Houghton Mifflin Co.