Linear Algebra is a wonderful and powerful tool and has applications in computer graphics, cryptography, data science, dynamics, economics, and most areas of modern mathematics.

This course provides an aggressively gentle introduction to MATLAB® for Linear Algebra.

Read the following material. It describes how this course will be run. You will be expected to be aware of everything on this document and to act accordingly.

Textbook: Elementary Linear Algebra: Applications Version, 12th Edition 12th Edition, Kindle Edition Here are prices from the publisher:

Hardcopy- 978-1-119-28236-5 –$150

eText - 978-1-119-40672-3

120 day rental - $47.00

150 day rental - $54.00.

Permanent download - $136.00.

To use it: Course ID: idels31874.

Office hours/tutorials. Every Friday 470/111 11:30-12:30 or if you need to see me outside of the announced office hours, please set up an appointment with me, either by speaking to me before or after class, or by sending me an email message (include "MATH 141” in the subject line, please). E-mail: lev.idelsl@viu.ca.

Don’t decide to take this class without committing yourself to attending each and every class. A good portion of the material we cover will not be in your text.

Syllabus for 2024(tentative)

1. Linear Systems (1.1-1.2).

2. Matrix Algebra (1.3-1.6).

3. Linear Transformations. Applications (1.8-1.9).

4. Determinants & Applications (2.1-2.3).

5. Eigenvalues & eigenvectors. Diagonalization (5.1-5.2).

6. Euclidian Vector Spaces. Planes. Lines & Distances (Sections: 3.1-3.5,4.4).

7. Intro to Matlab for Linear Algebra (Handouts).

8. Complex Algebra (Apps).

9. Applications of Linear Algebra. Truss Structures, Computer graphics, Cryptography, Ranking in Sport and Media, Timetabling, Traffic Flows, Data Science (1.10, 10.1, 10.5, 10.8, 10.9, 10.13 and 10.19).

Homework. Each Thursday HW assignment will be posted on D2L along with its Solution Keys. HW will not be graded or marked. Many of the exam questions will resemble the assigned homework problems.

Matlab assignment is due April 5, 2024, before 12:00 pm to be submitted on D2L as a single file (pdf). Students can check Matlab is installed on desktop computers in B405-508, B415-113 and B460-318. Or use a trial version of Matlab https://www.mathworks.com/campaigns/products/trials.html.

Grading and Tests. 3 midterms – max 54%; that is each Test is up to max 18%,

Final Exam- max 35% and Matlab assignment-max 11% .

Exam dates are on Wednesdays: Jan 24, Feb 14 and March 27.

For each midterm test a Practice Test will be posted on D2L with Solutions keys. After each Midterm its Solution Keys will be posted on D2L. All midterms are closed-book tests. Simple Sci calculators and hand-written formulae sheets are allowed on each test. No text or solutions could be placed on your self-made standard A4 cheat-sheet (both sides). The solution to a problem should be written bearing in mind that you are communicating to a reader (me, in this case). Thus, an answer should guide the reader toward the solution. The midterm tests are cumulative in nature.

There will be no make-up midterm; the missed marks will be distributed among the other midterms. If you miss the midterm, you will need to provide a documented excuse to your instructor. Examples of valid excuses are an illness which has been documented by a physician or an absence to play a varsity sport (in which case your coach will provide you with a letter to give to your instructor). In the case of an illness, your instructor must be notified within 48 hours of such an absence, and appropriate documentation must be produced within 7 days of the absence. In the case of a varsity sport event, your instructor must be notified at least 7 days in advance of such an absence. For an excused absence where the cause is religious belief, a student must contact the instructor(s) within two weeks of the start of classes. The best approach is to inform your instructor as early as possible in the term and as soon as you know the dates of your varsity sport event. Failure to comply with these time limits, or failure to provide a documented excuse, will result in a mark of 0 for that midterm. If you have a question or concern about an assigned mark, please bring it to my attention within 3 calendar days of the date when the midterm is returned to the class. I will always answer your questions, but after 3 days I won’t change your mark.

Last day of classes April 12 2024.

%	90-10	85-89	80-84	76-79	72-75	68-71	64-67	60-63	55-59	50-54	0-49
Letter Grade	A+	A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D	F
Grade Point	4.33	4.00	3.67	3.33	3.00	2.67	2.33	2.00	1.67	1.00	0.00

Which of the above intervals contains your overall percentage, and nothing else determines your grade. You get what you get!

Have Fun!