This textbook demonstrates the strong interconnections between linear algebra and group theory by presenting them simultaneously, a pedagogical strategy ideal for an interdisciplinary audience. Being approached together at the same time, these two topics complete one another, allowing students to attain a deeper understanding of both subjects. The opening chapters introduce linear algebra with applications to mechanics and statistics, followed by group theory with applications to projective geometry. Then, high-order finite elements are presented to design a regular mesh and assemble the stiffness and mass matrices in advanced applications in quantum chemistry and general relativity. This text is ideal for undergraduates majoring in engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, or applied mathematics. It is mostly self-contained—readers should only be familiar with elementary calculus. There are numerous exercises, with hints or full solutions provided. A series of roadmaps are also provided to help instructors choose the optimal teaching approach for their discipline. The second edition has been revised and updated throughout and includes new material on the Jordan form, the Hermitian matrix and its eigenbasis, and applications in numerical relativity and electromagnetics.

In order not to intimidate students by a too abstract approach, this textbook on linear algebra is written to be easy to digest by non-mathematicians. It introduces the concepts of vector spaces and mappings between them without dwelling on statements such as theorems and proofs too much. It is also designed to be self-contained, so no other material is required for an understanding of the topics covered. As the basis for courses on space and atmospheric science, remote sensing, geographic information systems, meteorology, climate and satellite communications at UN-affiliated regional centers, various applications of the formal theory are discussed as well. These include differential equations, statistics, optimization and some engineering-motivated problems in physics. Contents Vectors Matrices Determinants Eigenvalues and eigenvectors Some applications of matrices and determinants Matrix series and additional properties of matrices

Ch. 1. Some fundamental notions. 1.1. Definitions. 1.2. Components of a matrix. 1.3. Matrix functions. 1.4. Normal matrices -- ch. 2. Evolving systems -- ch. 3. Markov chains. 3.1. Non-negative matrices. 3.2. General properties -- ch. 4. Glass transition -- ch. 5. The Kerner model. 5.1. A simple example: Se-As glass -- ch. 6. Formal developments. 6.1. Spectral aspects. 6.2. Reducibility and regularity. 6.3. Projectors and asymptotics. 6.4. Continuum time -- ch. 7. Equilibrium, dissipation and ergodicity. 7.1. Recurrence, transience and periodicity. 7.2. Detailed balancing and reversibility. 7.3. Ergodicity -- ch. 8. Prelude -- ch. 9. Definition and main properties. 9.1. Bases. 9.2. Double Fourier transform. 9.3. Random walks -- ch. 10. Discrete quantum mechanics. 10.1. Introduction. 10.2. Weyl-Heisenberg groups. 10.3. Weyl-Wigner transformations. 10.4. Braiding and quantum groups -- ch. 11. Quantum symplectic structure. 11.1. Matrix differential geometry. 11.2. The symplectic form. 11.3. The quantum fabric -- ch. 12. An organizing tool -- ch. 13. Bell polynomials. 13.1. Definition and elementary properties. 13.2. The matrix representation. 13.3. The Lagrange inversion formula. 13.4. Developments -- ch. 14. Determinants and traces. 14.1. Introduction. 14.2. Symmetric functions. 14.3. Polynomials. 14.4. Characteristic polynomials. 14.5. Lie algebras invariants -- ch. 15. Projectors and iterates. 15.1. Projectors, revisited. 15.2. Continuous iterates -- ch. 16. Gases: real and ideal. 16.1. Microcanonical ensemble. 16.2. The canonical ensemble. 16.3. The grand canonical ensemble. 16.4. Braid statistics. 16.5. Condensation theories. 16.6. The Fredholm formalism.

Engineers and scientists need to have an introduction to the basics of linear algebra in a context they understand. Computer algebra systems make the manipulation of matrices and the determination of their properties a simple matter, and in practical applications such software is often essential. However, using this tool when learning about matrices, without first gaining a proper understanding of the underlying theory, limits the ability to use matrices and to apply them to new problems. This book explains matrices in the detail required by engineering or science students, and it discusses linear systems of ordinary differential equations. These students require a straightforward introduction to linear algebra illustrated by applications to which they can relate. It caters of the needs of undergraduate engineers in all disciplines, and provides considerable detail where it is likely to be helpful. According to the author the best way to understand the theory of matrices is by working simple exercises designed to emphasize the theory, that at the same time avoid distractions caused by unnecessary numerical calculations. Hence, examples and exercises in this book have been constructed in such a way that wherever calculations are necessary they are straightforward. For example, when a characteristic equation occurs, its roots (the eigenvalues of a matrix) can be found by inspection. The author of this book is Alan Jeffrey, Emeritus Professor of mathematics at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He has given courses on engineering mathematics at UK and US Universities.

Covers determinants, linear spaces, systems of linear equations, linear functions of a vector argument, coordinate transformations, the canonical form of the matrix of a linear operator, bilinear and quadratic forms, Euclidean spaces, unitary spaces, quadratic forms in Euclidean and unitary spaces, finite-dimensional space. Problems with hints and answers.

With this text, basic quantum mechanics becomes accessible to undergraduates with no background in mathematics beyond algebra. Includes more than 100 problems and 38 figures. 1986 edition.