MATH 231: Linear Algebra I

Fall 2005

Description and goals: An introduction to Linear Algebra with dual emphasis on theoretical aspects as well as computational techniques and applications. The presentation begins with the old problem of solving systems of linear equations, which motivates the introduction of matrices, which in turn leads to basic notions of vector spaces and linear transformations. (Picture copyrighted 2002 by Min Yan)

Text and References

Syllabus

Assignments

Announcements:

• 12/25: Check your final course grades.

• 12/17: I'll be holding special office hours on Monday 12/19 from 2:00 to 4:00.

• 12/11: Information on the final exam, including a review sheet, has now been posted.

• 12/5: There will be no class on Thursday 12/8 .

• 11/21: You can now check your current course grades.

• 11/19: Check out midterm 2 solutions.

• 11/15: Check out practice test 2 solutions.

• 11/12: Information on the second midterm, including a practice test, has now been posted.

• 10/15: You can now check your current course grades.

• 10/6: Check out midterm 1 solutions.

• 10/3: Check out practice test 1 solutions.

• 9/28: Information on the first midterm, including a practice test, has now been posted.

• 9/18: Here is the day and evening schedule of Math Lab. Feel free to go there for extra help!
  Videotapes (in KY 331, starting 9/6): Mon-Thu 9am to 3pm, Fri 9am to 2pm
  Day tutoring (in KY 331, starting 9/12): Mon-Thu 10am to 3pm, Fri 10am to 2pm
  Evening tutoring (in KY 508, starting 9/12): Mon-Thu 5pm to 8pm

• 8/30: Welcome!

General Information and Ground Rules:

• Class lecture meetings are Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:40 - 3:30 in Kiely 416.

• Homework is an absolutely essential part of this course. You cannot master the course material without solving many problems consistently throughout the semester. To help you choose the right problems, I have posted a number of core problems on this webpage. You are encouraged to work in groups and discuss these problems with one another. The assigned homework will not be collected (see however the next item).

• Quizzes will be given every Thursday during the last 15 minutes of the lecture. The questions will be similar to the most recently assigned core problems. You should make every effort to take all the quizzes, as it directly affects your course grade. At the end of the semester, your lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

• The course grade is based on the following scheme:
  
  

  Quizzes	Two Midterms	Final Exam
  20%	20% each	40%

• The exams schedules are as follows:
  
  

  Midterm 1	Midterm 2	Final
  Thursday Oct 6 (in class)	Thursday Nov 17 (in class)	Wednesday Dec 21, 1:45-3:45 in Kiely 416

• The prerequisite for this course is MATH 141 or MATH 151 with a minimum grade of C-. In the absence of these prerequisites, you should not be enrolled in this class. Please go to the Math Department office (Kiely 237) and seek advice.

• If a midterm exam is missed because of a documented illness or valid emergency, the course grade will be determined on the basis of the other work done during the semester. Exams missed for other reasons will count as failures.

• At the end of the semester, everyone who has not withdrawn from the class will receive a grade. Incompletes will not be given to avoid F's.

Saeed Zakeri