Many problems in science, engineering, and mathematics are best formulated in terms of matrices – rectangular arrays of numbers. This course is an introduction to the properties of and operations on matrices with a wide variety of applications. The main emphasis is on concepts and problem-solving, but students are responsible for some of the underlying theory. Diversity rather than depth of applications is stressed. This course is not intended for mathematics concentrators, who should elect MATH 217 or 420 (Honors). Topics include matrix operations, echelon form, general solutions of systems of linear equations, vector spaces and subspaces, linear independence and bases, linear transformations, determinants, orthogonality, characteristic polynomials, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and similarity theory. Applications include linear networks, least squares method (regression), discrete Markov processes, linear programming, and differential equations.

MATH 419 is an enriched version of MATH 417 with a somewhat more theoretical emphasis. MATH 217 (despite its lower number) is also a more theoretical course which covers much of the material of MATH 417 at a deeper level. MATH 420 is an Honors version of this course, which is also taken by some mathematics graduate students. MATH 420 is the natural sequel, but this course serves as prerequisite to several courses: MATH 452, 462, 561, and 571.