Linear Algebra (UniSA)

In this course, students will develop basic concepts in linear algebra and apply them to problems using analytic and numerical techniques. To provide an introduction to matrix algebra and to use the software package MATLAB to solve problems. Module 1: Linear Algebra (Applied) Vectors and matrices, linear dependence of vectors, linear systems of equations, row operation as matrix multiplications, row reduced echelon form (RREF), matrix inverse, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a square matrix, degenerate eigenvalues, diagonalisation of a square matrix, application to coupled systems of ordinary differential equations with examples from mechanics and ecology. MATLAB exercises. Module 2: Linear Algebra (Abstract) Definition and basic properties of abstract vector spaces; examples; Inner products; Cauchy-Schwarz inequality; Subspaces; Definition of dimension; Finite vector spaces and bases; The isomorphism theorem; Linear Transformations. Basic definitions: rank, null space, etc. The fundamental theorem; Special transformations: projections, orthogonal transformation, symmetric transformations, stochastic matrices; Spectral theorem for symmetric matrices; Matrix functions: matrix exponential, power series.