Math 429 Linear Algebra
Course Overview
Welcome to Linear Algebra (Math 429). This course is intended as a proof based introduction to linear algebra. Topics will include: vector spaces, linear maps, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, inner product spaces, and Jordan normal form. Math 310 (or equivalent) is a prerequisite to the course, and a familiarity with proofs and proof techniques will be assumed. The course does not require but assumes a basic familiarity with the contents of Math 309 (Matrix Algebra).
Textbook: Linear Algebra Done Right 4th edition
Instructor: Jay Yang
Office Hours: Tuesday 1-2pm, Wednesday 12-1, (or by appointment)
Office: Cupples I Room 109
Email: jayy@wustl.edu
Grading
Homework
Homework will released every Monday, and be due every Wednesday at 11:59pm starting on September 4th. They will in general cover the week’s material (Monday-Friday starting with the day the homework is released). All homework is to be submitted via Gradescope. No late homework will be accepted. Your lowest homework score will be dropped. There will be 11 homework assignments.
You may and are encouraged to discuss the homework with your classmates, but the solutions you provide must be your own work. In particular, you are expected to abide by the university policy on academic integrityLinks to an external site..
Exams
There will be two midterm exams, held in class on Friday February 23th and Friday April 5st. The final exam will be on Tuesday May 7 10:30AM - 12:30PM. No calculators will be permitted on any of the exams. The final exam will be comprehensive.
Final Grades
The grade will be based on your scores on the homework and exams, split as follows.
| Grade | Weights |
|---|---|
| Homework | 40% |
| Midterms | 15% each |
| Final | 30% |
Your letter grade will be based off the following scale.
Letter Grades
| A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | 85 | 80 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 60 | 55 | 50 |
Schedule This is approximate, and will be updated as we go
| Week | Sections |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1A-1C |
| Week 2 | 1C-2B |
| Week 3 | 2B-3A |
| Week 4 | 3B-3C |
| Week 5 | 3C-3E |
| Week 6 | 3E-3F |
| Week 7 | 3F,5A-5B |
| Week 8 | 5B-5D |
| Spring Break | |
| Week 9 | 5D,5E,6A |
| Week 10 | 6A-6C |
| Week 11 | 6C |
| Week 12 | 7A-7B |
| Week 13 | 7C,8A,8B |
| Week 14 | 8B-8D |
Resources
LaTeX is a way to type up your assignment. If you decide to type up your assignments, I recommend you use LaTeX. There is a bit of a learning curve though. You may for example consider using OverleafLinks to an external site., or one of many other Tex editors including TeXstudioLinks to an external site.. If you use one of these to typeset your assignment, please submit your homework as a pdf. (Don’t submit the .tex files)
The textbook is available open access at Linear Algebra Done Right to an external site.. I personally suggest having a physical copy if possible.
If you want other linear algebra textbooks, Hoffmann and Kunze’s Linear Algebra is a suggestion.