Introduction to linear algebra

This course is an introduction to concepts in linear algebra. These include, but are not limited to, matrix properties, linear independence, systems of linear equations, vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, determinants, and similarity transformations. More general mathematical topics such as complex numbers, proofs by induction and contradiction, and careful mathematical writing will also be covered.

Course prerequisite: one year of calculus at the high school level.

This half-semester class starts on Wed, Sept 2 and ends on Fri, Oct 16. The class meets on Mon, Wed, Fri each week at the following times and places:

• Section 1: 9:00 - 9:50 am in Jacobs B134
• Section 2: 10:00 - 10:50 am in Beckman B126
• Section 3: 11:00 - 11:50 am in Beckman B126

Please note that all students enrolled in Math 12a are also enrolled in a supplemental course known as Math 9 that meets at the same times and places as above on Tuesdays.

Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction, 2nd edition by David Poole (ISBN 0-534-34174-8).

Doing the reading will be essential for success in this course. We may occasionally assign homework problems on material covered in your textbook but not covered in lecture, so you will need to read the relevant sections to be best prepared for tackling the homework.

• Homework assignments will be due on Tuesdays and Fridays by 5 pm outside your professor's office and announced on the "Homework" page of this course website.
• Homework should be formatted according to the HMC Mathematics Department specifications.
• The professor reserves the right to refuse to accept late homework for any reason.
• Each student is responsible for attending all lectures and hearing all announcements.

Cooperation among students on homework is very much encouraged, but each student is expected to write up his or her own solutions individually. Comprehension is the goal of working on problems, so you should understand solutions well enough to write them up yourself.

In addition, you should cite any sources of help that you use. If you work with a classmate on a problem, be sure to acknowledge that person in your homework write-up; to do so incurs no penalty.

Harvey Mudd's honor code applies in all matters of conduct concerning this course.

• There will be two take-home exams in this course, with tentative dates outlined below.
  • Exam 1: handed out Fri, Sept 25, due Mon, Sept 30.
  • Exam 2: handed out Mon, Oct 12, due Fri, Oct 16.
• Your course grade will be comprised of homework (20%) and two exams (30% each). The remaining 20% of your grade will be based on the maximum of your homework and exam scores.
• Minimal requirements for passing this course:
  • Pass both course exams
  • Earn a homework average of at least 40%
  • Complete the HMC web-based Calculus tutorials by the end of the course (by Friday, Oct 16, 2009).
    Note: These thirteen required web quizzes must be taken and passed. The actual scores you receive for the quizzes will not affect your grade in the class. They are provided as complementary course material to help you review your high school mathematics and to prepare you for the upcoming academic year.
• Your homework graders this semester are Trevor Caldwell, Lindsay Hall, Keiko Hiranaka, Andrew Jennings, Dhruv Ranganathan, and Alena Rau.

Additional tutoring help for this course will be made available to you on a regular basis through HMC's Academic Excellence (AE) program. You are encouraged to take advantage of this resource.

Students who need accommodations for a disability are encouraged to discuss this with us as soon as possible so that we may make the appropriate arrangements.