Suggest an (applied) linear algebra book -- esp with quantum physics

[Darien]

Gotta take a year of quantum, and my linear algebra skills suck. I took one course on diff eqs, and it barely covered the subject. So it looks like I'll spend some time this x-mas break covering it on my own.



Suggestions?

Thanks 🙂

 

[Darien]

bump. Surely someone here has taken linear algebra!

 

[RaiderJ]

I used "Elementary Linear Algebra" by Larson Edwards (4th Edition). I think it was a good book, it got me through the class. The teacher I had REALLY sucked, so maybe the book in comparision seemed really good?

Overall, I felt the examples in the book were easy to follow. Even in the later chapters, I didn't feel lost by the book. However the book stops at eigenvalues & vectors, so nothing too comlplex

 

[Darien]

does it go through a lot of applications of linear algebra?

 

[RaiderJ]

In each chapter there is a section "Applications of ...", but that's about it. You'd probably want to look elsewhere for a book that does more practical stuff.

 

[Darien]

bump

 

[fawhfe]

I wasn't really aware that you needed formal education in linear algebra for quantum physics. I'm taking the introductory graduate level quantum physics class next semester without really that much linear algebra experience. That being said, we're using the book by Apostol (make sure you get volume II) in what is effectively honors 3rd semester calc. Evidently Caltech uses it for their math classes as well, so its pretty hardcore. As far as math books go, its pretty well done. The sheer volume of math is kind of discouraging, but after having to reread some stuff, I felt like I had a fairly good understanding of the material independent of lecture. (Again, you'll probably want to stay away if you want lighter reading--this is not a very happy book)

 

[Semidevil]

I would use that book too.

that is what I use for class..................so I think for passing a class, it will give you a good head start.......covers the general idea, and shows you a lot of proofs in the book.

 

[Darien]

much application in the book? i don't care too much for the proofs -- just primarily the application.

 

[fawhfe]

Probably not. Its definately a book intended for math, not physics. Quite honestly, in terms of getting linear algebra (and again, I might be missing something), you might be able to pick it up through the physics book. I would assume that in terms of what you're looking for, your physics book should probably have the most specific and insightful examples. I read through the electrodynamics text by Griffiths without any third semester calc and I pretty much picked up all the vector and differential calc needed to get through the book. So if you don't get any really good suggestions here, I would just suggest buying your physics book now. Usually the appendices will do a brief job explaining all the math you need and you can always ask a professor for elaboration.

 

[Darien]

It's not just for quantum mechanics that I want to learn it for. If I do something like EE for grad school, I need a good handling on linear algebra. My skills are really week, and my math book barely goes through it. (the "bare essentials" ,i'spose, to do differential equations)

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

I've taken 3 Lin. Alg classes (though 2 overlapped quite a bit), my profs all said that there aren't any "standard" lin alg books. I assume that you're trying to study operators/eigenfunfunctions/projections on polynomial spaces etc. more than the basic things like Gauss-Jordan elimination and null spaces, right?

For my quantum class we used French & Taylor. BTW, you're probably not going to understand too much of the math of quantum physics with your level of math. I get the feeling that you need at least a math undergrad to understand where the equations come from.

Oh, and you better brush up on those diff. eqs. Schroedinger's equations aren't exactly a walk in the park.

 

[Sukhoi]

I'm in linear algebra right now. We use Linear Algebra by Leon. Don't get this book. IT SUCKS.

Oh, and linear algebra in general SUCKS.

 

[Darien]

I've taken 1 course on quantum mechanics, and the only math requirement for it was concurrent enrollement in a DE course. My skills in differential equations are pretty good, but my knowledge in linear algebra is lacking. (I only know the basics to matrices, eigenfunctions, operators, etc).

The next one I'm going to take...I just want to be prepared for. If I have to learn linear algebra while learning quantum, it'd be like taking 2 courses 🙁 So I just want to be prepared.



And yes, schroedinger's equations are teh suck :disgust:

 

[amdskip]

I attempted the class and used the book by David C. Lay Linear Algebra 3rd edition. Our teacher sucked horribly, he's retiring when we get this semester wrapped up this week. He's from the netherlands and has been her 20 years and still cannot speak english. His favorite phrase is "yay yay" and its more like no, we don't know what you are saying and we surely don't understand it. I dropped the class and my friend stuck it out probably will not get a C to pass it. We started with at least 30 people and I'd say its down to 8 or so I'm guessing.

Edit: I think our book sucked.

 

[speg]

Haha I hate Linear Algebra too. I'm about to work on it now, if I can pull myself away from ATOT. Semester is over, but now I have to go through and learn it all in a week, cause I suck and need to pass the final.