Math 201: Linear Algebra

Professor: Jonah Blasiak

Winter 2015

Tuesdays and Thursdays 12-1:50pm, One Drexel Plaza GL20
Course Description: This course covers standard topics of Linear Algebra: systems of linear equations, matrix algebra, determinants, vector spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, orthogonality. It is expected that students will get an idea of linearity, master some methods of abstract reasoning and proving mathematical statements.
Prerequisites: Math 121 or its equivalent.
Office Hours: Korman 275, Tuesday 2:30-3:30pm, Wednesday 1-3pm.
Required text: Linear Algebra and Its Applications, by David C. Lay (4th Edition).
Exam Policy: No books or electronic devices are allowed on the midterm or exam. No collaboration is permitted at the midterm or exam. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UPS FOR EXAMS.
The midterm will be in-class on February 5.
Students with special exam-taking requirements or time conflicts should contact me by January 20.
Quiz Policy: Quizzes will be given in class every Thursday. They will be about 15 minutes long. Same rules as the exams apply.
Homework Policy: You may consult each other and the textbook above. List all people and sources who aided you and whom you aided, and write up the solutions independently, in your own language. It is easy nowadays to find solutions to almost anything online. DO NOT consult such solutions until after turning your homework. Late homeworks will not be accepted.
Homework Help: Math Resource Center (Korman 247)
Important University Policies:

Academic Dishonesty

Disability Resources

Course Drop Policy

Code of Conduct

Grading policy:
  • 10% Homework
  • 20% Weekly quizzes
  • 30% Midterm
  • 40% Final
    • Grade Distribution: Grades will be based on a curve to match previous versions of this class. Approximately the percentage of different grades given out will be:
    A: 25%
    B: 35%
    C: 25%
    D-F: 15%
    This is not an absolute rule. If I think everyone is doing well, then higher grades than above will be given.

    Syllabus

    Week 1: Jan 06, Jan 08
    Linear equations: Sections 1.1-1.4
    Read Sections 1.1-1.4 and the handouts Joy of Sets and Mathematical Hygiene.
    Homework 1 due Jan 13. Includes book problems, Section 1.1 #14, 16, 24, 26; 1.2 #8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 26; 1.3 #6, 22, 26, 32.

    Week 2: Jan 13, Jan 15
    Linear equations: Sections 1.4-1.5, 1.7-1.8
    Read Sections 1.4-1.5, 1.7-1.8.
    Homework 2 due Jan 20. Includes book problems, Section 1.4 #14, 16, 26, 32, 34; 1.5 #18, 24, 30, 38; 1.7 #12, 28, 36, 38.

    Week 3: Jan 20, Jan 22
    Linear transformations and matrix algebra: Sections 1.8-1.9, 2.1
    Read Sections 1.8-1.9, 2.1.
    Homework 3 due Jan 27. Includes book problems, Section 1.8 #12, 17, 28, 30; 1.9 #6, 22, 30, 32, 34; 2.1 #10, 12, 16, 18, 26.

    Week 4: Jan 27, Jan 29
    Inverses, determinants: Sections 2.2-2.3, 3.1
    Read Sections 2.2-2.3, 3.1
    Homework 4 due Feb 3. Includes book problems, Section 2.2 #2, 10, 16, 22, 32; Section 2.3 #2, 4, 8, 14, 18, 20, 36; Section 3.1 #6, 14, 24, 36.

    Week 5: Feb 03, Feb 05
    Determinants, vector spaces: Sections 3.2-3.3
    Reminder: Midterm Feb 05. This will cover Sections 1.1-1.5, 1.7-1.9, 2.1-2.3, and 3.1-3.3. It will be in-class and 90 minutes long. Here is a practice midterm. This is probably a little harder than our midterm. Solutions to this practice midterm will be handed out in class on Tuesday, Feb 03.
    There will be no homework due February 10 because of the midterm.
    Midterm 1 Solutions.

    Week 6: Feb 10, Feb 12
    Vector spaces: Sections 4.1-4.3
    Read Sections 4.1-4.3
    Homework 5 due Feb 17. Includes book problems, Section 3.2 #30, 34, 40; Section 3.3 #20, 22, 28; Section 4.1 #2, 6, 10, 14, 18; Section 4.2 #6, 10, 24, 28, 30.

    Week 7: Feb 17, Feb 19
    Vector spaces: Sections 4.4-4.6
    Read Sections 4.4-4.6
    Homework 6 due Feb 24. Includes book problems, Section 4.3 #4, 8, 14, 16, 25; Section 4.4 #2, 8, 12, 14, 24; Section 4.5 #4, 8, 14, 18, 30.

    Week 8: Feb 24, Feb 26
    Rank, eigenvectors and eigenvalues: Sections 4.6, 5.1-5.2
    Read Sections 4.6, 5.1--5.2
    Homework 7 due Mar 03. Includes book problems, Section 4.6 #2, 6, 18, 24, 30; Section 5.1 #8, 14, 18, 26; Section 5.2 #4, 8, 14, 18, 22.

    Week 9: Mar 03, Mar 05
    Diagonalization, orthogonality: Sections 5.3
    Read Sections 5.3
    Homework 8 due Thursday, Mar 12. Includes book problems, Section 5.3 #6, 8, 12, 16, 18, 26, 27; Section 6.1 #6, 14, 16, 20, 28.
    Since the University is closed for the weather, class is cancelled Mar 05. The quiz will be given on Tues Mar 10. Homework 8 is now due Thur Mar 12.

    Week 10: Mar 10, Mar 12
    Orthogonality: Sections 6.1-6.2. Final review
    Additional suggested exercises for Ch. 6 (do not turn in): Section 6.1: 30, 31; Section 6.2: 6, 7, 9, 25, 26, 28; Ch. 6 Supplementary exercises: 2,4,6.

    The Final Exam is on Thursday, Mar 19, 10:30am-12:30pm, in LEBOW 135. Here is a practice final. Our final will be significantly easier than this practice final. Solutions to this practice final will be handed out in class on Thursday, Mar 12.

    Outcomes: The students should be able to solve systems of linear equations by Gaussian elimination (matrix row reduction), find matrix rank, column and row spaces, determinants, know basics of matrix algebra, understand orthogonality of vectors and the Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization algorithm.