Basic linear algebra

Basic Linear Algebra is a text for first year students, working from concrete examples towards abstract theorems, via tutorial-type exercises. The book explains the algebra of matrices with applications to analytic geometry, systems of linear equations, difference equations, and complex numbers. Linear equations are treated via Hermite normal forms, which provides a successful and concrete explanation of the notion of linear independence. Another highlight is the connection between linear mappings and matrices, leading to the change of basis theorem which opens the door to the notion of…