Introduction to Linear Algebra A

The course discusses elements of linear algebra over the real and complex numbers. 1. The complex numbers. Linear equations: elementary operations, row reduction, homogeneous and non-homogeneous linear equations. 2. Real and complex vector spaces. Examples, subspaces, linear dependence, bases, dimension. 3. Matrix algebra. Matrix addition and multiplication, elementary operations, LU decomposition, inverse matrix, the determinant, Cramer’s law. 4. Linear transformations: examples, kernel and image, matrix representation. 5. Inner products, orthonormal sequences, the Gram-Schmidt process. 6. Diagonalization: eigenvalues and eigenvectors, the characteristic polynomial. Time permitting: unitary and orthogonal matrices and diagonalization of Hermitian and symmetric matrices.