Fall 2004

Mathematics 23a - Fall 2004

Theoretical Linear Algebra
and Multivariable Calculus

Welcome to Math 23a!

Math 23a and 23b are theoretical courses in linear algebra and multivariable Calculus, respectively, the main purpose of which are to introduce the student not only to the content and application of these areas but also to the nature of the mathematical reasoning behind them.

These are challenging courses, but you do not need to be a mathematics concentrator in order to take them. If you need advice about whether to take these courses or about other courses such as Math 25a and 25b or Math 21a and 21b, please see an advisor in the Mathematics Department.

Announcements for Math 23a:

The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, January 19, at 2:15 P.M.

Here are five preview problems for the final exam, at least one of which will appear on the in-class final.

Here are the true/false problems that Daniel covered in his review session with answers.

Here are final exams from the past three years: Fall 2001, Fall 2002, and Fall 2003, with True/False solutions for 2002 and 2003. Please note that different topics were covered in different years. This year, for example, we have not yet covered the topology of Euclidean space, which includes the notions of open, closed, and compact sets.

Due to popular request, here are three past midterms again and, alas, still only two past solution sets:  

Fall 2001 Midterm
Fall 2002 Midterm	Fall 2002 Solutions
Fall 2003 Midterm	Fall 2003 Solutions

The in-class midterm has been graded and is available to be picked up during office hours.
The mean and median were both 59, and here is a solution set.
Here is the take-home portion of the midterm, including the fifth and sixth problems.

The required textbooks are "Matrices and Linear Algebra," by Hans Schneider and George Phillip Barker (Dover, ISBN # 0-486-66014-1) and "Advanced Calculus of Several Variables," by C.H.Edwards, Jr. (Dover, ISBN # 0-486-68336-2).

For additional reading on many topics in the course, please see the Math 23a Bibliography. In 2001-02, we used Shilov and Edwards, and in 2002-03, we used Curtis and Fitzpatrick as our primary textbooks.

Sections and office hours with our five (!) course assistants can be found here .

 

Course Materials:	Useful Links:
Course Information	Math Department Undergrad Info Page
Course Syllabus	Math Department Home Page
Joe's Notes on Proofs	Harvard Home Page
Homework #1     Solutions: A, B, C, D
Homework #2     Solutions: A, B, C, D, E
Homework #3     Solutions: A, B, C, D, E
Homework #4     Solutions: A, B, C, D, E
Homework #5     Solutions: A, B, C, D, E
Homework #6     Solutions: A, B, C, D, E
Homework #7     Solutions: A, B, C, D, E
Homework #8     Solutions: A, B, C, D, E

Please send comments to John Boller. Reference Math 23 in your subject.
URL:  http://abel.math.harvard.edu/~boller/M23/index.html
last updated:  January 18, 2005

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