AMS 210, Applied Linear Algebra
Catalog Description: An introduction to the theory and use of vectors and matrices. Matrix theory including
systems of linear equations. Theory of Euclidean and abstract vector spaces. Eigenvalues
and eigenvectors. Linear tranformations. May not be taken for credit in addition to
MAT 211.
Prerequisites: AMS 151 or MAT 131 or corequisite MAT 126, or level 7 or higher on the mathematics placement
examination.
SBC: STEM+
3 credits
Textbook for Summer and Fall 2025 with Prof. Hyunkyung Lim: (This item is available
for free as an ebook here: https://commons.library.stonybrook.edu/ams-books/1/):
Required: "Introduction to Linear Algebra: Models, Methods and Theory", by Alan Tucker, XanEdu
Publishing, 1995; ISBN: 9781506696720
Textbook for Fall 2024 semester for Lecture 02 ONLY with Prof. David Green:
Required: "Introduction to Linear Algebra" by Gilbert Strang, 5th edition, Wellesley-Cambridge Press, 2016; ISBN: 978-009802327-6
Textbook for Fall 2024 semester for Lectures 01 and 03 ONLY with Profs. Hyunkyung Lim and Dima Kozakov (This item is available for free as an ebook here: https://commons.library.stonybrook.edu/ams-books/1/):
Required: "Introduction to Linear Algebra: Models, Methods and Theory", by Alan Tucker, XanEdu
Publishing, 1995; ISBN: 9781506696720
Topics
1. Introductory Models (Chap. 1) – 4 class hours
2. Matrices: matrix operations, matrix algebra, matrix norms, eigenvalues and eigenvectors
(Chap. 2) – 9 class hours
3. Solving Systems of Linear Equations: Gaussian elimination, inverses, determinants,
iterative methods, condition numbers and related numerical analysis (Chap. 3) – 10
class hours
4. Applications: regression, Markov chains, growth models (Chap. 4) – 6 class hours
5. Theory of Systems of Linear Equations: linear independence, bases, rank, null space
and range, orthogonal basses, pseudoinverse (Chap. 5) – 8 class hours
6. Examinations and Review – 5 class hours.
Learning Outcomes for AMS 210, Applied Linear Algebra
1.) Become familiar with a diverse set of linear models and use them to interpret
theory and techniques throughout the course:
* a system of 3 linear equations in 3 unknowns;
* a Markov chain model
* a dynamic (iterative) linear systems of equations
* a general equilibrium model.
2.) Compute and apply basic vector-matrix operations:
* scalar products;
* matrix-vector products;
* matrix multiplication.
3.) Demonstrate diverse uses of scalar and vector measures of a matrix:
* matrix norms;
* dominant eigenvalue and dominant eigenvector.
4.) Solve a system of linear equations using:
* Gaussian elimination;
* determinants;
* matrix inverses;
* iterative methods,
* least squared approximate solutions using pseudo-inverses.
5.) Demonstrate how Gaussian elimination determines if a system of linear equations
is:
* overdetermined;
* underdetermined—and how to determine the family of solutions;
* uniquely determined—and find the solution.
6.) Apply basic ideas of numerical linear algebra:
* computational complexity of matrix operations;
* LU decomposition;
* using partitioning to simplify matrix operations;
* ill-conditioned matrices and the condition number of a matrix.
7.) Learn and use basic theory about the vector spaces associated with a linear transformation:
* linear independence;
* the null space;
* the range space;
* orthonormal spaces.
8.) Examine a sampling of linear models, chosen from linear regression, computer graphics, markov chains, and linear programming.
9.) Strengthen ability in communicating and translating of mathematical concepts,
models to real world settings:
* present solutions to problems in a clear, well-laid out fashion;
* explain key concepts from the class in written English;
*convert problems described in written English into an appropriate mathematical
form;
* convert the mathematical solutions into a written answer.