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Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University

MATH 2121: Linear Algebra

Students explore the following topics: systems of linear equations, matrix arithmetic, determinants, real vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and diagonalization.

Learning outcomes

  • Solve systems of linear equations and homogeneous systems of linear equations by Gaussian elimination and Gauss-Jordan elimination.
  • Row-reduce a matrix to either row-echelon or reduced row-echelon form.
  • Use matrix operations to solve systems of equations and be able to determine the nature of the solutions.
  • Understand some applications of systems of linear equations.
  • Perform operations with matrices and find the transpose and inverse of a matrix.
  • Calculate determinants using row operations, column operations and expansion down any column and across any row.
  • Interpret vectors in two and three-dimensional space both algebraically and geometrically.
  • Use the Gram-Schmidt process to produce an orthonormal basis.
  • Use basic mathematical proof techniques to prove or disprove certain claims (e.g. prove or disprove whether a given set of objects constitutes a vector space).
  • Find the kernel, range, rank, and nullity of a linear transformation.
  • Calculate eigenvalues and their corresponding eigenspaces.
  • Understand the concept of a linear transformation as a mapping from one vector space to another and be able to calculate its matrix representation with respect to standard and nonstandard bases.
  • Determine if a matrix is diagonalizable, and if it is, how to diagonalize it.

Course topics

  • Unit 1: Systems of Linear Equations
  • Unit 2: Matrices and Determinants
  • Unit 3: Vector Spaces
  • Unit 4: Inner Product Spaces
  • Unit 5: Linear Transformations, Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

Required text and materials

The following materials are required for this course:

  1. Larson, R. (2017). Elementary linear algebra (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
    Type: Textbook ISBN: 978-1-305-65800-4
  1. Larson, R. (2017). Student solutions manual for elementary linear algebra (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
    Type: Textbook ISBN: 978-1-305-65802-8

Optional materials

A scientific calculator is allowed both in the course term work and on the final exam. Graphing calculators are not permitted.

Assessments

Please be aware that should your course have a final exam, you are responsible for the fee to the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or to the in-person approved Testing Centre. Please contact exams@tru.ca with any questions about this.

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory examination.

Note: The final exam for this course is only available as a in-person exam and must be taken at an approved Testing Centre. Please email exams@tru.ca with any questions.

Assignment 1: Unit 1 9%
Assignment 2: Unit 2 9%
Assignment 3: Unit 3 9%
Assignment 4: Unit 4 9%
Assignment 5: Unit 5 9%
Quiz 1 7.5%
Quiz 2 7.5%
Final Exam (mandatory) 40%
Total 100%

Open Learning Faculty Member Information

An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.

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