“The book of the universe is written in the language of mathematics; without mathematics it is not possible to understand a word of it.” Galileo Galilei

Semester: Spring 2008 Course Number: Math129A Course Title: Linear Algebra Instructor: Leslie Foster Office: MH 312 Telephone: 924-5123, Secretaries: 924-5100 Web page: www.math.sjsu.edu/~foster Email: [email protected] Office Hours (tentative): TTh 2:50-5:10 or by appointment or any time I'm not busy. Other Assistance: SJSU Learning Assistance Resource Center (LARC) in the Student Service Center on Tenth Street. See www.sjsu.edu/larc . LARC tutors will also be available in MH. Prerequisites: Math 31 with a grade of C- or better.

What is linear algebra: In its simplest form linear algebra is about solving linear systems of equation but it also is a tool that is important in understanding statistics, economics, social science, psychology, computer science, engineering and many other areas. We will introduce this new language and ideas like vectors, matrices, bases and linear transformations (which we will explain later). How to study: Spend 2-3 hours before each class. Read the text and work out the details. Solve the exercises. Ask question right away -- by email, in class, office hours or by visiting LARC. Required Text: Elementary Linear Algebra, A Matrix Approach, 2 nd ed., by Spence, Insel and Friedberg, Prentice Hall, 2008. Suggested Supplements: Student Solutions Manual to Elementary Linear Algebra, A Matrix Approach, 2e by Spence, Insel and Friedberg, Prentice Hall, 2000. You do not need to buy Jane Day’s Computer Project book.

Technology in the course: Jane Day in our department has created a very useful set of computer exercises using Matlab. Some of these are tailored to Spence, Insel and Friedberg’s book and are available from Dr. Day’s web site at http://www.math.sjsu.edu/~day/layprojects.html. Also there are interesting collections of real world matrices at http://math.nist.gov/MatrixMarket/ and www.cise.ufl.edu/research/sparse/matrices. I will introduce you to Matlab, make some assignments from Dr. Day’s collection and make several other assignments. One assignment will use the above web sites and will involve solving large ( 5000 by 5000 or much larger) matrices. Matlab 7 is available in the department labs, if you enroll in Math 110L, and I also have a license that allows me to loan you a copy of Matlab 5.3 for Windows for the semester. Either Matlab 5.3 or 7 is adequate for the work in the course. I encourage students to use calculators to check their homework. A calculator like a TI-89 is a great tool for this. In order to make sure that you understand how to do the operations in linear algebra, on tests there will be restrictions on calculator use. Math 110L: I encourage all students to sign up for one unit of Math 110L. Doing so will give you access to the Math Department computer lab in MH 221. Adding Math 110L costs nothing to full time, resident students. Part time students can, without adding Math 110L, also have access to the computer lab by paying $25 in the Math Department office.

Learning Objectives: Learn concepts and techniques related to matrices, linear transformations, determinants, subspaces, eigenvalues and orthogonality. Material Covered: We will cover most of chapters 1 through 6 of the text.

Requirements and Points Points Each Basis of Grade

2 midterms 100 Curve within reason. The You will have at least a week notice Final 150 curve for each individual on all exams, quizzes and computing 4-8 Quizzes 20 assignment will be assignments (except in the unusual case ~5 Matlab assignments 20 announced in class when the where I will give a second chance for assignment is returned. If a quiz or exam you may have only not announced the curve is a class period notice) 90/80/70/60 for A/B/C/D. Total ~550

Homework: Keep a collection of all assigned homework. Your set of homework will be picked up from time to time during the semester. If your grade is in doubt homework and other signs of work will help your grade up to a maximum of 2-3% points in the final grade. I may collect some assignments to be graded individually.

Make-up exams and quizzes: None except under very unusual circumstances and then only if you contact me (via phone, message, in person, note, ...) before the exam. Make-up exams will be more difficult.

Cheating: Cheating on any quiz, exam, or other assignment may result in an F in the course and be reported to the University. Additional information / requirements - please see http://www.math.sjsu.edu/math/courses/mathgs.htm

In his book Il Saggiatore (The Analyzer) Galileo wrote, "The book of the universe is written in the language of mathematics... without the help of which it is impossible to conceive a single word of it, and without which one wanders in vain through a dark labyrinth." 1623