LINEAR ALGEBRA

Linear Algebra (2nd Edition) by David Poole

Fall 2009

PREREQUISITES: This course requires successful completion of Calculus I. Completion of Calculus II, Calculus III, and a basic physics class is helpful but not required. Familiarity with Texas Instruments TI 83 calculators (or their equivalent) is expected.

OBJECTIVES: This course covers systems of linear equations and matrix algebra, as well as the basics of determinants, eigenvalues, inner products, and linear transformations in Euclidean n-space.  Abstract vector spaces will not be discussed in this course. Students will be expected to do some simple proof-based exercises.

    Upon completion of this course, students will have:
                            1.  Enhanced mathematical reasoning and problem solving skills.
                            3.  Explored the capabilities of the graphing calculator to better understand concepts in linear algebra.
                            4.  Developed an understanding of systems of linear equations, matrices and the algebra associated with them.
                            5.  Developed familiarity with eigenvalues and inner products.
                            6.  Gained some exposure to linear transformations and their applications.
                            7.  Gained limited exposure to formal proof, primarily through lecture.

GRADING: This course will cover the majority of Chapters 2 - 5 in the text with portions of Chapter 1 included as needed.  Grades will be based on a minimum of five in-class exams, a comprehensive final, and a homework quiz given every Thursday.   You may make up an exam only if you schedule a makeup time in advance.  There is no makeup for homework quizzes; however, I will drop your two lowest quiz scores.  You must take the makeup exam within two weekdays of the scheduled date.   There is no extra credit for this course. 

Homework quizzes will consist of two homework problems selected at random from the previous week's material (or earlier).  You will have at least one class period to ask questions about assigned problems before they become eligible to appear on a quiz.  There will be approximately twelve of these quizzes, and they will count twenty points each.

A standard grading scale will be used on all graded work: 90-100 --- A, 80 - 89.5 --- B, etc. I do not use the +/- grading system.  Particular grades are not curved; there will be an end-of-semester curve based upon class performance.  In particular, let E denote your cumulative exam score, Q denote your cumulative quiz score, and let F denote your final exam score.  Let X denote the highest cumulative exam score, Y denote the highest cumulative quiz score, and Z denote the highest final exam score.  Your final grade will be given by the formula

S = .6*(E/X) + .25*(Q/Y) + .15*(F/Z)

You are expected to attend every class meeting since I will be working examples not found in the book and may be giving extra handouts which deviate from the text.  However, I will not take roll unless chronic absenteeism makes it necessary.  If conditions warrant, I will give one week advance notice, then begin taking roll.  After that point, every three unexcused absences will automatically lower your grade by one letter.  Do not force me to implement this strategy.

No one will be exempt from the final.

To retain Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship eligibility, you must earn a cumulative TELS GPA of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted hours and a cumulative TELS GPA of 3.0 thereafter.  You may qualify with a 2.75 cumulative GPA after 72 attempted hours (and subsequent semesters), if you are enrolled full-time and maintain a semester GPA of at least 3.0.  A grade of C, D, F, or I in this class may negatively impact TELS eligibility.  Dropping a class after 14 days may also impact eligibility; if you withdraw from this class and it results in an enrollment status of less than full time, you may lose eligibility for your lottery scholarship. Lottery recipients are eligible to receive the scholarship for a maximum of five years from the date of initial enrollment, or until a bachelor degree is earned.  For additional Lottery rules, please refer to your Lottery Statement of Understanding form, review lottery requirements on the web at http://scholarships.web.mtsu.edu/telsconteligibility.htm, or contact the Financial Aid Office at 898-2830.

For lottery scholarship purposes, I must fill out an attendance roster at mid-term.  If you have failed to take a quiz and an exam back-to-back, I will inform the university that you are no longer attending.

An incomplete will be given only in accordance with the University Policy.  If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation, or you have questions related to any accommodations  for testing, note takers, readers, etc., please speak with me as soon as possible. Students may also contact the  Office of Disabled Students Services (898-2783) with questions about such services.  

This syllabus is only a guide for your convenience; we may deviate from it as class needs dictate.

Important dates:

September 7 --- Labor Day Holiday                               September 11 --- Last day to drop without a grade           October 16 --- Last day to drop with a "W"

October 17-20 --- Fall Break                                         November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Holiday                       December 2 --- Last day to withdraw                       

December 10 --- Study Day (No Classes)                         December 11 - 17 --- Finals Week

FINAL EXAM    ---    THURSDAY DECEMBER 17 ----- 1:00 PM --- 3:00 PM

SUGGESTED PROBLEMS

CHAPTER 2

Section 1:    11, 13, 15, 16, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43

Section 2:    1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 28, 29, 33, 35, 45, 47, 49

Section 4:    1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 13, 15, 17

Section 3:    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 32, 36, 37, 39, 42, 43

EXAM I

CHAPTER 3

Section 1:    1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22

Section 2:    1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 37, 38

Section 3:    2, 3, 6, 11, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37, 39,  42, 43, 51, 52, 53, 54, 59

EXAM II

Handout on Linear Regression

Section 5:    1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 27, 28, 29, 35, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 45, 47, 49, 50

Handout on the Dot Product     Section 1.2:        20, 23, 25, 28, 35, 37, 42, 43, 44

Section 6:    1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 27, 31, 33, 35, 36, 37, 39, 46, 47, 49, 51

EXAM III

CHAPTER 4

Section 1:    1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25

Section 2:    1, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 17, 18, 23, 24, 26, 29, 32, 33, 35, 37, 39, 40, 45, 47, 49

Section 3:    1, 4, 5, 9, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24

Section 4:    1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 15, 17, 18, 21, 25, 27, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43

EXAM IV

CHAPTER 5

Section 1:    3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31

Section 2:    1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22

Section 3:    1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18

EXAM V