Satya Mandal

In this course we do elementary linear algebra. This is mainly about solving linear equations in a more abstract or formal way. It would be more so, in a honors class.

General Organization and Navigation:

1. Course Delivery: The course delivery would be via Zoom. There will be no in-person meeting. However, this is not to be mixed up with so called online-courses. There is regular class meeting time for this class.
2. Comments on Teaching: I have been a proponent of Online Teaching methods, particualrly at this level. Even before COVID I uploaded every bit of information on my website. Whenever I thought something is worth mentioning, I added that to my lecture notes.

   Most of us are used to the idea that we are being taught by teachers. I believe, at the end, we teach ourselves, by reading the matrials provided by the instructor, and working out homework. In this internet age, there are alternatives to in-class-instructions.

   This being a honors course, coming to classes is important. I am assuming, you are taking a honors course, because you are interested in deeper insight. A professor says a lot of things, and communicates emphasis that cannot be written down entirely. Sometimes, you would trigger a discussion, that may take the class to an unplaaned direction.

   Given the circumstances, you are in good hands. Come to classes, read the materials, workout the HW problem. I provided solutions to many HW problems, look at them (only) if you are stuck.

3. You woud do the following
   1. Read the Lecture notes.
      Sometimes, I may provide additional guidence on certain sections.
      We will cover 4 sectons each week, on an average.
   2. Submit Homework, by email (photo copy or pdf),
      by the due date. I will inform you of the due dates by email, (or by updating the site).
   3. Solutions to some HW are available, on left side link.
4. Navigation: All the links you need to navigate are on the left side.
5. Exams: You would take three take-home exams (may not be 100 points each).
   Exams would be made avaiable well ahead of when due.
6. Calculator: An advanced calculator (TI-84) will be of great help.
7. You would receive further instructions via emails, as needed.

Textbook:

1. We wll mainly use my Lecture Notes
2. In case we use any other resources, updates would be available through this site.

Material to Cover

1. Chapter 1 : System of linear equations
2. Chapter 2 : Matrices
3. Chapter 3 : Determinants
4. Chapter 4 : Vector spaces
5. Chapter 5 : Eigen-values and eigen-vectors
6. Chapter 6 : Inner product spaces
7. Chapter 7 : Linear transformations

Grading Scheme:

Schedule of Examinations:

1. Including Homework, out of total of 350 points
2. Without Homework, out of total of 300 points
3. You will be given the lower of the two. For example,
   to get an A, you would need to get A in both ways.

Important Dates:

1. Mon, Feb 19, First Period Drop ends
2. Mon April 23: Second Period Drop Ends
3. Thu May 6: Last day of classes