Linear Algebra and Its Applications, 3rd Updated Edition (Book & CD-ROM) | 
 enlarge | Author: David C. Lay
Publisher: Addison Wesley
Category: Book
List Price: $141.33
Buy New: $95.00
You Save: $46.33 (33%)
New (31) Used (52) from $88.04
Rating:  32 reviews
Sales Rank: 710
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 3
Pages: 576
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.4
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 8.2 x 1
ISBN: 0321287134
Dewey Decimal Number: 512.5
EAN: 9780321287137
ASIN: 0321287134
Publication Date: September 1, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Linear algebra is relatively easy for students during the early stages of the course, when the material is presented in a familiar, concrete setting. But when abstract concepts are introduced, students often hit a brick wall. Instructors seem to agree that certain concepts (such as linear independence, spanning, subspace, vector space, and linear transformations), are not easily understood, and require time to assimilate. Since they are fundamental to the study of linear algebra, students' understanding of these concepts is vital to their mastery of the subject. Lay introduces these concepts early in a familiar, concrete Rn setting, develops them gradually, and returns to them again and again throughout the text so that when discussed in the abstract, these concepts are more accessible.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 32
 Good Choice August 24, 2010
Katie (Seattle, WA)
When I take a class, I don't have a choice in what book the instructor chooses. If the book is readable, illustrates concepts clearly and helps me study (via useful reference lists, intelligent problems and helpful study guides), then I'm happy. If it does that concisely, like this book did, then I'm stoked. Is this book AMAZING? No. There could have been more and more challenging problems, better pacing, and more or less coverage in several sections. But since any book should be supplemented by a professor's problems and lectures, that should not be necessary. I got everything I needed from the class in which I used Lay's Linear Algebra, and the book carried its weight. I now use it as a handy reference. Very good course book choice.
 Substandard product May 22, 2010
A. Terrazas (Washington, DC/ Barcelona)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The so called "international version" is a cheap copy where some of the pages are multiple copies on a single page. The color and shading of the original text do not appear. Yes, it was cheaper but you get what you pay for. It was not worth the hassle it caused.
 Simply the best February 13, 2010
hot4hypatia (29.48 N , 98.51 W)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I have heard students complain about how unhelpful this book is and professors complain that it is too easy.
I strongly disagree with both.
I am very well acquainted with the following introductory texts: Strang, O'Nan, Leon, Larson and Lay. As a student, I learned initially from the O'Nan text, then transferred colleges and had to repeat the class with the Strang text. As a professor, I have taught out of the 3 remaining texts. I have also examined the text written by Kolman.
Lay's Ch. 1 is an extraordinary result: he creates an overview that unites all the main ideas that comprise linear algebra.
No other text I know of comes near the breadth or clarity he achieves in this opening chapter. This chapter alone makes the book worth owning.
I also want to answer those who attack the Student Study Guide. It one of the few I have seen that is actually written by the author. It is likewise excellent and provides answers and hints for all the most critical problems in the text. I highly recommend it as well. I require it when I teach using the Lay text.
I have convincingly achieved my best classroom outcomes using the Lay text. I have actually covered most of the first 6 chapters and the first 2 sections of Ch. 7 at the junior college level in one semester with a decent group of students who were often slowed down by a group of underachievers in the class.
In summary, students who do not like this book will be hard pressed to find anything better- just pick up one of the competing texts used in colleges today and try to read it. Lay is by far the most 'user-friendly' text, he is clearly attempting to engage his readers. Unfortunately, most students at this level do not have enough experience at this point to make an informed judgement about the quality of a mathematics text or the quality of a mathematics teacher.
Professors who do not appreciate this text are an even more puzzling group. I can only surmise that the teachers in this group do not understand the ideas or the focus of an introductory class in linear algebra very well and are simply teaching without thinking.
This is one of the best math books that I have ever read February 9, 2010
Rahav Dor
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have read, in details, many math books. This one stands on the top echelon. Extremely good explanations, superior examples, and it takes the space to write about the details.
Some books will brush you off with sentences such as "this is clearly true", "this is trivial", and other nonsense that authors allow themselves to just put worthless book in the market. Hey, we were not be studying this subject if it was trivial. You will NOT find this in this book. Everything is explained !!!
I also found it an excellent book to keep in your personal library. It is a good reference.
Decent Book, Covers the principles January 29, 2010
E. Schiesser (Rochester, NY USA)
This book is pretty decent. I didn't really use it much, but its a good reference text for linear algebra. Also, I got the instructor's edition somehow, but its the same content.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 32
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