Linear Algebra

Rating:
Summary: My first math book without picturse and examples
Review: I used Lax in my honor linear algebra class as a college freshman. With not much previous experience in abstract math, this book could be a bit frustrating. However, if you really strive to understand what each sentence really means, it's not all that difficult. This is a very concise book and at times I spent hours reading one page. My class didn't end up covering the whole book, but I finished it on my own the summer following my freshman year. Now I feel very confident about linear algebra and it led to my later more in-depth study in algebra.

Rating:
Summary: Best Linear Algebra Review Book
Review: Linear Algebra is one of the most basic topics in science and engineering. Everyone takes an undergraduate course, but few science/engineering graduate students have mastery of the material upon entering grad school. I find that Lax's book is an excellent book to recommend to our graduate students for self review. The few but very well chosen topics and the straightforward yet deep way they are covered make the book engaging, thought provoking, and easily followed by upper level undergrads and beginning grad students. A student with a mastery of the material in this book will have little trouble with grad courses in the many engineering and science courses that rely on linear algebra.