4450/5500, Spring 2026
Matrix Theory
Conley
Syllabus (snow-modified)
Formula Sheet
Past Quizzes
Exam 1 Review Sheet
Exam 2 Review Sheet
Supplementary Notes
Supplementary Problems


NOTE: Because of the snow week, both midterm exams will be moved back one week.
The new dates are Thursday, February 26, and Thursday, April 9.


As noted on the syllabus, the text for the course is Introduction to Linear Algebra, ed. 6, by Strang; the section numbers below refer to it.
The style of this book is conversational. In addition to numerous examples, it contains many gems hidden in asides. Keep an eye out for them!

Later in the course I will refer to the supplementary notes and problems at the above links.

Here are some additional free online references you might find helpful:

   Linear Algebra Done Right, by Axler: this text is more theoretical and rigorous than Strang.
   (Strang is more suitable for us
because Math 4450 has no proof-based prerequisites.)
   Linear Algebra Done Wrong, by Treil: I just love this book.

Final Exam: Tuesday, May 5, 10:00-12:00

Practice Problems for Quiz 11:

   Supplementary Problems
13-23

Practice Problems for Quiz 10:

   Section 7.1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 15, 6
   
Recommendation: do 6 last. Here are some hints for it:
   First, find the SVD of A_2 in terms of that of A_1.
   Second, find the SVD of
A_1. This is difficult, but in the end everything simplifies.
   As you compute, write things
in terms of the golden ratio, \gamma := (\sqrt{5} + 1)/2.
   The key property of \gamma is that \gamma^{-1} = \gamma – 1.

Exam 2: Thursday, April 2 9 (changed due to snow week)

Practice Problems for Quiz 9:

   Section 6.3: 22, 23, 25, 27, 31, 32, 36, 38
   Supplementary Problems 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Practice Problems for Quiz 8:

   Section 6.3: 2, 3, 6, 7, 39
   Supplementary Problems 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Practice Problems for Quiz 7:

   Section 6.1: 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34
   Section 6.2: 1, 2, 3, 7, 13, 18, 19, 22, 24, 26, 38

Practice Problems for Quiz 6:

   Section 5.1: 1
   Section 5.2: 1, 14, 15
   Section 6.1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Exam 1: Thursday, February 19 26 (changed due to snow week)

Practice Problems for Quiz 5:

   Section 3.5: 1, 2, 3, 14
   Section 4.1: 3, 11, 14, 21, 22
   Section 4.2: 5, 7, 17, 20, 21, 31
   Section 4.4: 18, 19, 22, 23

Practice Problems for Quiz 4:

   Section 3.1: 10a, 17b, 18
   Section 3.2: 3, 4, 31B, 33, 36, 45
   Section 3.3: 1, 4, 6, 27, 29
   Section 3.4: 2, 26A

Practice Problems for Quiz 3:

   Section 2.2: 1, 3, 16a, 17a, 31, 35, 37
   Section 2.3: 5, 7, 14
   Section 2.4: 13, 18c, 19

Practice Problems for Quiz 2:

   Section 1.3: 1, 2, 8, 10, 14, 21
   Section 1.4: 2, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14
   Section 2.1: 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20

Practice Problems for Quiz 1:

   Section 1.1: 1, 7, 11
   Section 1.2: 4, 5, 7bc, 12