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Title: Awful book
Review: I agree with the others who gave this book low marks.This is NOT a book for "introductory" algebra courses or for building a strong basic foundation for understanding the properties of matrices. Strang rattles off with obfuscating explanations as if you have already had a previous exposure to linear algebra and matrix theory.For example, just compare Strang's explanation of the least squares method versus the explanation in Harvey Gerber's "Elementary Linear Algebra", and you will see what I mean. Strang's explanation is hardly adequate, while Gerber's is superior, providing an easy-to-understand motivation for the subject, a well defined proof, and copious examples. (Gerber's isn't the only book out there; there are many, many other books that are far, far better than Strang's. )For best results, if you are required to buy this book for a college course, buy this book "used" (to save money) or borrow it from sombody else (share with a friend?), and buy another book from which to learn.
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