MATH 38Elementary Linear Algebra

3 credits · Mathematics · Penn State

Many problems we have to solve in day-to-day practice require the simultaneous determination of several different but interrelated unknowns. Although many problems of this form have been studied throughout the long history of mathematics, only in the early 20th century did the systematic approach we now refer to as linear algebra emerge. Matrices and linear algebra are now accepted as the single most essential tool need for the solution of these problems. In addition, linear algebra provides students their first introduction to the concept of dimension in an abstract setting where things with 4, 5, or even more dimensions are often encountered. In the simplest situations, many of these problems can be represented as A x = b, where x is our vector of unknowns, A is a matrix, and b is a vector of constants. MATH 38 is intended for students requiring some understanding of the concepts of linear algebra for their major, but not requiring any calculus course work. Students who are also required to take calculus course work should instead take MATH 220 after completion of an appropriate prerequisite.