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4 Linear Algebra For Dummies
change the matrices for more convenient computations, and what some of
the applications of determinants are.
Part IV: Involving Vector Spaces
The chapters in this part get into the nitty-gritty details of vector spaces and
their subspaces. You see how linear independence fits in with vector spaces.
And, to top it all off, I tell you about eigenvalues and eigenvectors and how
they interact with specific matrices.
Part V: The Part of Tens
The last three chapters are lists of ten items — with a few intriguing details
for each item in the list. First, I list for you some of the many applications of
matrices — some things that matrices are actually used for in the real world.
The second chapter in this part deals with using your graphing calculator to
work with matrices. Finally, I show you ten of the more commonly used Greek
letters and what they stand for in mathematics and other sciences.
Icons Used in This Book
You undoubtedly see lots of interesting icons on the start-up screen of your
computer. The icons are really helpful for quick entries and manipulations
when performing the different tasks you need to do. What is very helpful with
these icons is that they usually include some symbol that suggests what the
particular program does. The same goes for the icons used in this book.
This icon alerts you to important information or rules needed to solve a problem
or continue on with the explanation of the topic. The icon serves as a
place marker so you can refer back to the item as you’re reading through the
material that follows. The information following the Remember icon is pretty
much necessary for the mathematics involved in that section of the book.
The material following this icon is wonderful mathematics; it’s closely related
to the topic at hand, but it’s not absolutely necessary for your understanding
of the material. You can take it or leave it — whichever you prefer.