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MATH1902 Linear Algebra (Advanced)

General Information

MATH1902 is a Junior (or first-year) unit forming part of the advanced Mathematics stream.

  • Credit point value: 3CP.
  • Classes per week: Two lectures and one tutorial.
  • Lecturer(s) in 2012: David Easdown.
  • Email contact address: MATH1902@maths.usyd.edu.au.
    Students: Please include your name and SID when emailing us.

Note that all students considering enrolling in Advanced Level units are strongly encouraged to try the online self-assessment test.

Information sheet for MATH1902

All students should read the information sheet. The information includes (for example) details of the assessment procedure, including dates of assessment tasks.

Answers to frequently asked questions

See the main junior mathematics page for information relating to all junior mathematics units, and see in particular the Junior Maths FAQ page.

Online Resources

Lecture Notes for MATH1902 Linear Algebra (Advanced)

Click below for scans of (rough) notes by the lecturer. These should become available shortly after the dates listed.

Exercise Sheets and Solutions

Exercise sheets should be printed by students and brought to classes. These form the basis for preparatory work and subsequent activities in tutorials. Short solutions are included. Longer solutions will be made available at the end of the relevant week.

Assessment Information

Information relating to the assessments for this course will appear here when it becomes available.

Aims and Learning Outcomes

Advanced units of study (MATH1901 and 1902) in mathematics in first semester build on the broad foundations of calculus and precalculus learnt at school, integrating them with new and novel concepts in linear algebra.

Students should start to gain an appreciation of the power and beauty of mathematics that evolved over 2,000 years yet is indispensable to our modern way of life.

Calculus and linear algebra are two cornerstones of mathematics, and over the course of one semester students taking both units start to see these subjects intertwine to form the backbone of almost all applications of mathematics to physical and biological sciences and engineering.

(The first continuation is in second semester of the junior year, studying integral calculus and modelling in MATH1903, and then, subsequently, a spectacular explosion of ideas coming together in the first semester of the intermediate year, studying vector calculus and abstract vector spaces in MATH2961.)

By the end of the semester, students should be able to

  • apply mathematical logic and rigour to solving problems
  • express mathematical ideas coherently in written and oral form
  • demonstrate fluency in manipulating complex numbers, functions of one or two variables, limits, differentiability and polynomial approximations
  • demonstrate fluency in vector and matrix arithmetic, and their applications to solving systems of equations.
In particular, students taking MATH1902 should be able to
  • perform arithmetic of geometric vectors in the plane and in space, with applications to classical problems in geometry
  • perform and manipulate dot, cross and triple products and vector projections, with applications to lines and planes in space
  • develop fluency with systems of equations and the methods of Gaussian and Gauss-Jordan elimination
  • perform matrix arithmetic, calculate matrix inverses, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors
  • develop fluency with methods of diagonalisation and applications
  • become conversant with important classical results, such as the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra and the Cayley-Hamilton Theorem, that underlie more advanced topics in linear algebra.

Preparation for the MATH1902 Exam

Watch this space closer to the start of the study period after lectures finish.

Check your marks

Please check that your mark for Quiz 1 has been recorded correctly by entering your 9 digit SID into the box below and then pressing the "Check marks" button.

SID:              

Please note that any corrections to Quiz 1 marks must be made by Wednesday 16 May 2012.

The teaching material appearing on this web site is intended for the use of enrolled students of the University of Sydney, and (unless otherwise specified) the University of Sydney holds copyright. Any other person or institution wishing to use any of this material must contact the university to make appropriate arrangements.

Useful Links

Timetable

Last revised 30/03/12

All rooms are in the Carslaw building unless otherwise indicated.

MATH1902MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
9am  
  
 Tutorial
E Av403
(Wks 2-13)
RB.Ogilvie
  
  
   
  
 Tutorial
E Av404
(Wks 2-13)
R.TarnowMordi
  
  
10am  
  
 Tutorial
E Av403
(Wks 2-13)
R.TarnowMordi
  
  
   
  
 Tutorial
E Av404
(Wks 2-13)
RB.Ogilvie
  
  
11am Lecture
ChemLT1
D.Easdown
 Lecture
Wallace
D.Easdown
  
  
  
noon  
  
 Tutorial
E Av403
(Wks 2-13)
P.Cheung
  
  
   
  
 Tutorial
E Av404
(Wks 2-13)
CM.Cosgrove
  
  
2pm  
  
 Tutorial
E Av403
(Wks 2-13)
A.McMillan
  
  
   
  
 Tutorial
E Av404
(Wks 2-13)
P.Cheung
  
  
3pm  
  
 Tutorial
E Av403
(Wks 2-13)
A.McMillan
  
  
   
  
 Tutorial
E Av404
(Wks 2-13)
CM.Cosgrove
  
  
For questions or comments please contact webmaster@maths.usyd.edu.au