Gelfand Lectures On Linear Algebra Pdf [portable] -

As one reviewer noted, the book is excellent for understanding the characterization of invariants of linear transformations, particularly the Jordan decomposition. Gelfand sees linear algebra as a tool for combinatorics and analysis, and this perspective is woven into the fabric of the text.

While many introductory texts ignore dual spaces entirely, Gelfand introduces them clearly and early. This is crucial for understanding tensors, general relativity, and advanced physics. He distinguishes between bilinear forms (which give you dot products) and linear operators—a distinction that is muddled in lesser texts. gelfand lectures on linear algebra pdf