Professor Tara E. Brendle
MATH 221, Lecture 6, FALL 2004
Linear Algebra and Differential Equations  
MWF 2:30 - 3:20pm, 203 Malott

Email: brendle@math.cornell.edu
Office: 525 Malott Hall
Phone: (607) 255-4008
Office hours: Wednesdays, 11:30-12:15, 3:30-4:15
Recitation Section:
Th 2:30 - 3:20pm, 231 Rockefeller
TA: Evgueni Klebanov
E-mail: klebanov@math.cornell.edu
TA's office hours: Tuesdays 12:00-2:00pm (Malott 218)

This is the third semester of the upper level calculus sequence. The course covers linear algebra, with applications to differential equations. The approach is more theoretical than in our other calculus sequences: we teach theorems as well as computational techniques. If you are not sure this is the right course for you, we will be glad to talk to you about it. One of the goals of the course is to provide an introduction to theorem-proving. By the end of the semester, you should be able to understand most of the proofs in the subject, and you should even be able to give some proofs on your own. Topics will include: vectors, matrices and linear equations, vector spaces and linear transformations, determinants, eigenvectors and diagonalization, orthogonality and differential equations.

Text: Otto Bretscher, Linear Algebra with Applications, third edition.

The appropriate reading for various sections of the book can be found HERE .

Homework

  • Due dates: Every week in the Thursday recitation section.
  • Assignments will be posted HERE.
  • Late homework will NOT be accepted!
  • Homework policy:

    Students may work together on homework but must write up their work individually. The homework will be graded and it is the student's responsibility to make sure that his or her work is written clearly (this refers both to handwriting and style of prose).

    The homework is the most important part of the course. No matter how well you think you understand the material presented in class, you won't really learn it until you do the problems. You are free to devise whatever strategy for learning the material suits you best. This may involve collaboration with other students. We believe, however, that most people will get the maximum benefit from the homework if they try hard to do all the problems themselves before consulting others. In any case, whatever you turn in should represent your own solution, expressed in your own words, even if this solution was arrived at with help from someone else. Remember, you are doing the homework in order to learn the material; don't try to defeat the purpose of it.

    Quizzes

    Starting the second full week of classes, every Monday (or possibly every other Monday), we will have a short in-class quiz. On the previous Friday, I will give you a short list of definitions and/or specific short proofs or calculations. The quiz on Monday will then consist of 2 items from this list and should take about 5 minutes of class time. The idea is to reinforce the basic definitions as much as possible and to learn how to do certain key proofs in order to help make the transition to doing more advanced mathematics. I will post a list of the terms you will need to be able to define each Friday after class HERE.

    Preliminary and Final Exams:

  • Prelim 1: Tuesday, September 28, 7:30 - 9:00 pm, in Warren Hall, Room B45.
    For complete details about Prelim 1, click HERE
  • Prelim 2: Evening of Thursday, October 28. For details about Prelim 2, click HERE
  • Final Exam: Thursday, Dec 9 from 9:00 - 11:30 am

    (NOTE: While the material for the final exam will cover the entire course, there will be a strong emphasis on the material covered after the second prelim.)

    Grading (approximate)

    Final exam 38%, Preliminary exams 25% each, Section grade (homeworks/quizzes) 12%

    Last modified: 25 August 04