Math 314/514 (Linear Algebra) Spring 2016

Instructor: Ching-Li Chai

Office: DRL 4N36, Ext. 8-8469.
Office Hours: MF 1:00-1:30 pm, and by appointments.
Email: chai@sas.upenn.edu

Grader: The Gia Hoang
Email: theh@sas.upenn.edu
Office Hours:

Homework Assignments

Math 314 log

General Information

• Lectures: MF 1:30--3:00 PM, DRL 4C2.
  First meeting: Wednesday, January 13, 2016 (which is a University Monday).
  
  
• Labs:
  • 101: Tu 6:30-8:30 pm, first meeting Tu Jan 19
  • 102: Th 6:30-8:30 pm, first meeting Th Jan 14
  
  
• Course description: This is a proof-based course on linear algebra. Materials include: linear equations, vector spaces, linear transformations, determinants, canonical forms (including Jordan canonical forms and rational canonical forms), inner products, bilinear forms and spectral theorems.
  
  Part of the goal of this course is to introduce the practice of rigorous mathematical proofs. Answers to homework assignments and exams should consists of complete and rigorous proofs. The standard for rigor will be gradually increased during the first few weeks, reaching to the expected level at the end of the fourth week.
  
  Note: A proof in English consists of a sequence of grammatically correct sentences, each of which can be unambiguously translated to a sentences in a formal mathematical language (in the sense of logic) logic. The resulting sequence of logical sentences is supposed to be a deduction which in principle allows a computer to verify that the assertion of the statement indeed is a logical consequence of the assumptions of the statement in question (and the axioms).
  
  
• Textbook:
  
  
  • Linear Algebra, 2nd edition, 1971, by Hoffman and Kunze. This is the main textbook. It is out of print, but there are plenty of "international edition" paperbacks for sale, on sites like amazon or abebooks, for 10-15 dollars.
  • Linear Algebra Done Wrong, by Sergei Trail. This is the complementary textbook, which can be legally downloaded for free. The presentation is somewhat different from Hoffman and Kunze.
  
  
• There will be two in-class exams
• The COURSE GRADE is based on: Homework and Lab(50%), In-class Exams (50%)
  
  

Important Dates:
First day of class: Wednesday, January 13
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday January 18
Drop period ends: Friday, February 19
Spring break: March 6 (Sunday)-12 (Saturday)
In-class exam: Friday, March 18 , in class
Last day to withdraw: Friday, March 25
Last day of class: Wednesday April 27
Reading days: April 28 (Thursday)-April (Friday)
In-class exam: Friday April 29, 11:30-1:00, DRL 4E9.

Some Links

• The Number Theory Web
  
  
• The primes page
  
  
• National Institute of Standards and Technology, Computer Security Resource Center
  
  
• Frequently Asked Questions About Today's Cryptography, from RSA Lab
  
  
• cryptography pointers