Matrices and Linear Transformations 21-214

Matrices and Linear Transformations
21-241
Spring, 2013

J. Iovino

Textbook

Gilbert Strang, Linear Algebra and its Applications, Fourth Edition, Thompson Brooks/Cole, 2005.

Evaluation

There will be three 50-minute tests and a final. (See the exam dates below.) Each of these will be worth 20% of the grade. The remaining 20% of the grade will come from homework and quizzes.<

Each time we meet, I will post homework exercises on the web page of the course. The solutions will be due on Wednesday of the following week, no later than 10:20 am. Late homework will not be accepted.

I urge you to work on the exercises on the same day they are posted. Don't make the mistake of waiting until the weekend! The course moves fast, and if you postpone your work, you are almost sure to get behind, and it will be very hard to recover. On average, I believe that you should dedicate at least five hours per week to the homework exercises. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that you work on these exercises diligently. The only way to learn mathematics is by doing mathematics, i.e., solving problems. One does not learn mathematics by watching somebody else work on examples (although this is important as a starter), nor by reviewing exercises that one has already solved. You really have to train yourself to face a new situation every time you attack a new problem, and this is actually the one part of the course that will stay with you even after you graduate.

In your written work (homework, exams and quizzes), you must show clearly how you you obtained your answers. An answer without proper justification will be regarded as no answer and will not count towards credit.

Please don't hand in messy work. An important goal of this course (and of any mathematics course) is that you learn to organize your ideas in your mind. Disorganized work often shows disorganized ideas, so disorganized solutions will not be graded.

If your homework solution includes more than one sheet, please do not forget to staple all the sheets together. We cannot be responsible for loose sheets.

There will be no makeup exams or quizzes. If you miss any of the first three tests due to a verifiable emergency, depending on the severity of the case, the average of the other two might be used to fill in the missing grade.

All the University policies regarding academic integrity will apply.

How to reach the instructor

Office: Wean Hall 8204
Email: my last name@math.cmu.edu
Office hours: MWF, 1-2 pm, or by appointment.

Exam Dates

Test 1: Monday, February 11.
Test 2: Monday, March 4.
Test 3: Monday, April 8.
Final: To be announced soon.

BACK TO THE WEB PAGE OF THE COURSE