Welcome to 21-241 Matrix Algebra

Introduction

Linear algebra covers material which is essential to everyone who does mathematical computation in engineering and the sciences. The subject divides naturally in two parts: computational and conceptual. These are intimately related, but operationally distinct: on the one hand, computations with matrices and linear equations can be made into efficient algorithms, in mental code or in computer code, and, once created, these can be carried out with little attention to the theory. On the other hand, in order to understand, to choose and then correctly optimize the applications of linear algebra, it is necessary to see the underlying formal algebraic structure.
What does this mean for this course? Your challenge will be to master the algorithmic aspects of the subject, without thinking that this is all that there is to the subject, and to deal with the underlying formal structure by using the concrete model of matrices and vectors as a guide and as a tool.

Time and place

MTWRF 10:30-11:50 PH A18C

Instructor

Spas Bojanov

Office: Wean Hall 6213
Mail: sbojanov AT andrew cmu edu
Phone: (412) 268 6828

Office Hours

Immediately after each lecture and by appointment.

Text

Linear Algebra and Its Applications, Third Edition by David C. Lay

Homework

Homework is an integral part of the course. Doing exercises is the single most effective way to master the material and prepare for the exams.

There will be 11 homework assignments posted on the web page. Homework assigned on Monday is due on Friday the same week, and homework assigned on Friday is due on Monday the next week. The assignment with the lowest score will be dropped.

Homework will be evaluated based on completeness, correctness and clarity of the work. As for the latter, you should resist the urge to simply write endless strings of computations with no explanation of the thought process behind your work. Include transitional phrases such as, "Now we must find the eigenvalues of this matrix". Use the homework as practice for expressing your mathematical ideas clearly. You will find this very beneficial to your performance on the exams.

You are strongly encouraged to discuss the homework and work together on the problems. However, each student should individually write his or her own work. You should never give access to the final version of your assignment.

Late homework will not be accepted. However, if you feel that your situation is exceptional you should discuss it with me personally before the due date.

Exams

There will be two eighty-minute in-class midterms, and a comprehensive two-hour final exam. In addition, there will be random weekly pop-up quizzes.

Make-ups will not be given. In case of documented illness, emergency, or documented university sponsored trips, you will be assigned a grade for the missed test based on an appropriate section of the final exam, i.e. the appropriate questions on the final will count both toward the final exam score and as a replacement score for the missed test.

Calculators or other technology are not allowed on the exams.

The exam dates are:

Midterm I: May 27, 10.30am
Midterm II: June 10, 10.30am
Final: June 24, 10.30am (tentative).

Grades

The final grade will be determined by whichever scheme below is more favorable to you:

Scheme 1               Scheme 2

20% Homework     20% Homework
20% Midterm I        5% Pop-up quizzes
20% Midterm II     20% Midterm I
40% Final              20% Midterm II
                             35% Final

The highest possible grade cutoffs will be 90% A, 80% B, 70% C, 60% D. These may be lowered slightly, but will not be increased.

Suggestions for getting the most out of this course

Decide to attend every lecture unless something unavoidable happens.
Actively participate in lectures: try to follow the logical development of the lecture and ask questions on the spot if something is not clear. This little extra effort can significantly cut down on the time spent on understanding the material outside class.
Later on the same day of lecture, review the covered material and identify any points of confusion. Seek assistance from the instructor at the beginning of class on the next day, and/or discuss the difficult points with your classmates.
The course material cannot be learned passively. However simple and reasonable you may find what you read or hear, you do not understand it unless you apply it yourself. Thus, it is imperative that you test yourself by doing problems. If you have difficulty with a problem, ask the instructor or a fellow student for help.
View lectures as your primary source and the text as your secondary source for preparation. The exams will cover topics emphasized in lectures.