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Trinity College Dublin

TCD Mathematics

School of Mathematics

MA1S11: JF Mathematics for Scientists


What is where in the textbook

This refers to Elementary linear algebra : with supplemental applications / Howard A. Anton, Chris Rorres Publisher: Wiley, Hoboken, NJ 2011. [Hamilton, Counter Reserve 512.5 L32*9-2;29; Hamilton, Lending S-LEN 512.5 L32*9-2;6]

Chapter 1: Vectors
They deal with vectors from a geometrical point of view (arrows) first. Then a more algebraic approach (with components). Equations of lines and planes in space. Basic ideas about higher dimensions.
Anton & Rorres, Chapter 3 excluding last 2 sections.
(See also Chapter 11 of Anton's Calculus)
Chapter 2: Linear Equations
These notes deal with Gaussian elimination and Gauss-Jordan elimination, as ways of solving systems of linear equations.
Anton & Rorres, sections 1.1, 1.2
Chapter 3: Matrices
These notes deal with matrix operations (addition, muliplication by scalars, matrix multiplication). They continue with expressing elementary row operations via matrix multiplication by elementary matrices, inverses, how to find inverses. Next special kinds of square matrices (diagonal matrices, upper triangular matrices, strictly upper triangular, nilpotent matrices, lower triangular). Transposes. Traces of (square) matrices. An application: directed graphs and their vertex matrices.
Anton & Rorres, sections 1.3 - 1.7 and 10.6
Chapter 4: A little on Spreadsheets
Some basic uses for spreadsheets.
(No special book - there is online Help in Google Docs that may help if the notes don't.)
Chapter 5: Binary, octal and hexadecimal numbers
First, what are binary, octal and hex, how to convert between them and how to convert to/from decimal. Relationship with computers, storage of (signed) integers. Limits arising from the usual systems (use of approximation $2^{10} \cong 10^3$). Floating point. Idea of relative errors and use of condition numbers.
No special book - the notes mention a number of online sources of information, some of which go into more detail than we did: