Renowned professor and author Gilbert Strang demonstrates that linear algebra is a fascinating subject by showing both its beauty and value. While the mathematics is there, the effort is not all concentrated on proofs. Strang's emphasis is on understanding. He explains concepts, rather than deduces. This book is written in an informal and personal style and teaches real mathematics. The gears change in Chapter 2 as students reach the introduction of vector spaces. Throughout the book, the theory is motivated and reinforced by genuine applications, allowing pure mathematicians to teach applied mathematics.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Wow...more than I ever wanted to know!
Comment: This book takes on the very difficult challenge of linear algebra. The book is pretty good, but acces to Strang's online lectures is awesome! This guy is a very good instructor, and I highly recommend watching his lectures when going through this book.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Still the clearest text on Linear Algebra
Comment: I was fortunate to have taken this course and Applied Mathematics from Gilbert Strang at MIT in the mid-late 1980's. We used this and his Introduction to Applied Mathematics texts. The revised edition of this text is updated and contains newer applications, and is current for today's students.

The texts (both of them) were the clearest and most relevant texts in mathematics that I ever used. This, coupled with Professor Strang's enthusiasm and down-to-earth teaching style made these courses actually enjoyable to this geology major. I use both texts as references to this day in the increasingly numerical science of geology and geochemistry. Coupled with Matlab, the texts are very helpful in leading me through development of numerical models in my research and teaching.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A Review of the 2nd Edition
Comment: "Linear Algebra and Its Applications" by Gilbert Strang is currently in its 4th edition, but this review is of the 2nd edition. I haven't seen the 4th, but I assume that it is as good as (if not better than) the 2nd.

The text is an excellent introduction to the subject. I was a new graduate student in applied mathematics in 1980 when I took a two-quarter sequence in linear algebra using this textbook. There are many other textbooks on the subject, virtually all of them in the traditional "Theorem-Proof with examples" format. It's easy to follow the logical flow in those texts, and that can sometimes be reassuring. However, Strang's textbook gives the reader deeper insights into the subject, though the reader will sometimes have to work harder to harvest them. It can sometimes be maddening to follow the logical flow in Strang, to separate the theorems from examples from observations. But the struggle is well worth it. I never found any logical flaws in Strang's reasoning (the same cannot be said for other texts), and Strang's notation was always conveniently general without being awkward. Over the years I have referred to Strang on minor points when other texts left me confused.

In short, I would recommend this book to any student as a reference, for self-study, or as a course textbook. But be ready to do the work to get the best possible understanding from it.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Sort of Confusing At Times But A Good Book
Comment: I was tired of seeing the theoretical based linear algebra books and so I decided to buy one that focused on applications as well. I got a used copy of the 3rd edition. It's really good on applications. I recommend this book highly for applied mathematicians, scientists and engineers. However, I found some of the applications a bit confusing and some of the problems assigned could be challenging. In my opinion, I think this book has about 35% - 40% theory and the rest applications. Buy this book if you really want to see the applications of linear algebra.

-Patrick.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Good to buy only if your instructor follows it or if your have firmly determined to master linear algebra.
Comment: My first complaint about this book is it is too expensive. But If your teacher follows it then go for it. If you have determined to master linear algebra and be able to spend time for the course videos the author gives then this book is worth buying it. No no if you want to just refresh some concepts because it's too expensive.

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