Question

What is your opinion on the textbook? Can you recommend it?

Answer 1

Which one?

Answer 2

I'm sorry. I want to know if somebody can recommend "Introduction to Linear Algebra" by Gilbert Strang to use it during the MIT course.
And why do you recommend it/recommend it not?

I want to know cause it costs some money.

Answer 3

I figured that was your question--just wanted to make sure before answering. And yet, still, a clear answer is impossible because it depends on what you already know and what you want to know. (Linear Algebra is vast in at least a couple ways, and so no one text can or should hope to cover all of it in every way. In fact, there is still on-going research in Linear Algebra and we have within the last few years, even discovered new results that are useful for the novice Linear Algebra student. So you see, the subject can quickly bring you to many different points at which there is no best path to proceed.)

So here are the virtues of Strang's book: Relatively clear, simple, provides proofs without relying on the student to understand all of them in complete detail, a close adherence to concrete calculations and applications. It is good for the beginner, especially the beginner with relatively little other Mathematics background (e.g. someone with no background in mathematical proofs).

It has vices, but most of them are only vices if you are more interested in the deep theory and hard proofs associated with Linear Algebra content. If those don't concern you, then these shortcomings won't matter to you.

One vice that is global, though, and which you've already pointed out is: It costs no small amount of money. This is a big problem for someone who has free choice of textbooks because ... There are a lot of cheaper or even free Linear Algebra texts out there. At least a few of them are even *meant* to be free, while the other ones are made free by the charity of people with a scanner and no concern for copyrights. Personally, I'd suggest starting with one of those and, if you find it incomprehensible, only buy a book when you can't find one you like for free.

Answer 4

Thank you very much. I bought the book, and I'm working with it just now.

After some thought, the high price is effectively not so high, when you subtract the 30-40 euros which you will get when you resell it. But that's not what made me buy it. I just want to get the best out of this course, that's worth it.

Answer 5

Try E. Kreyszig book on advanced mathematics. Its good for linear Algebra.