Math 215

Instructor: Clay Shonkwiler
Time: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11:30–12:30
Location: Sharpless 410
Office: KINSC H213
Office Hours: Monday 1:00–2:00, Wednesday 2:00–4:00 and Thursday 1:00–2:00.
Texts: Linear Algebra and its Applications (4th edition), by Gilbert Strang
E-Mail Address: cshonkwi@haverford.edu
Syllabus

Homework
Practice problems for Exam #1
Practice problems for Exam #2
Practice problems for Final Exam

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the ideas and methods of linear algebra, which you will learn by understanding them geometrically, justifying them algebraically, and using them to solve problems in various disciplines. In addition, the course serves as an introduction to abstract reasoning and mathematical proof. It is a prerequisite for all advanced courses in mathematics and provides excellent preparation for graduate work in the natural sciences and quantitative social sciences.

We will begin with the geometry of Euclidean n-space, systems of linear equations, and matrices, then progress to the study of vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization, and the spectral theorem. Basic material is supplemented by applications (like least squares approximations and Markov chains) and carefully developed theory (such as the relationship between the rank and nullity of a linear transformation).

This will be a demanding course. You will probably spend a minimum of 6–8 hours per week outside of class.


Homework

There will be weekly homework assignments, typically due by 5:00 on Thursday. Homework is an important part of any math class, as it is impossible to learn mathematics without actually doing mathematics. The goal of the assignments is to deepen your understanding of the concepts, tools and techniques discussed in class, as well as to give you the opportunity to practice explaining your mathematical thinking. The importance of effective communication is vital: knowledge without the ability to communicate that knowledge is of limited value. As such, to get full credit on a problem your solution must be clear and well-written.

Homework must be stapled with your name clearly written at the top. What you turn in should be a final copy: it should be neat, legible, and well-organized. If I can’t read or understand your work you won’t receive any credit.

Late homework will not be accepted, so you should turn in whatever you have completed on the due date in order to get credit for it. Your lowest homework grade will be dropped from the calculation of your final grade.

Collaboration on homework is not only allowed, it is highly encouraged. The process of doing mathematics is a strange mixture of the social and the antisocial: it is often the case that you will understand a problem and its solution better when you discuss it with someone else, but it is also essential that you work through the details on your own so that you don’t use another’s understanding as a crutch. As such, you should follow these guidelines when collaborating:

  • You must work on each problem on your own before discussing it with your collaborators.
  • When discussing a problem with your collaborators, you should work on a white board, a blackboard, or a colored sheet of paper.
  • You should write up your solution separately from your collaborators and without reference to the white board, blackboard, or colored paper containing your joint work so as to communicate your own understanding of the problem.
  • You must indicate with whom you collaborated on your homework. Who you work with may change from problem to problem, so please note your collaborators separately for each problem.

Online or other outside resources are not allowed unless you have received my permission ahead of time.

Please contact me if you have any questions; you may also want to refer to the math department’s guidelines on collaboration.


Exams

There will be two midterm exams and a final. The midterms are tentatively scheduled for February 26 and April 16; the final will be self-scheduled. Collaboration is not allowed on any of the exams.


Grading

Your final grade in the course will be determined by:

  • Homework: 15% (lowest dropped)
  • Midterms: 25% each
  • Final: 35%

Accommodations

If you think you may need accommodations in this course due to the impact of a disability please meet with me privately as soon as possible. You should also contact Rick Webb, Coordinator, Office of Disabilities Services (rwebb@haverford.edu, 610-896-1290) to confirm your eligibility for appropriate accommodations. Doing so early in the semester will help prevent unnecessary inconvenience.