Math 342, Elementary Linear Algebra, Spring 2025 (CRN: 33091)

· PROFESSOR: Arkady Berenstein,  306 Fenton Hall, phone: 346-5624, Email: arkadiy@uoregon.edu

· CLASSES: MWR, 16:00--16:50.

· OFFICE HOURS:  W 17:00--18:50 (or by appointment, please use e-mail).

· TEXT: Linear Algebra and Its Applications, by David C. Lay, Steven C. Lay, Judy J. McDonald, 6th edition, Pearson Education Inc., Chapters 5-7.

· PREREQUISITES: Math 341.

· COURSE CONTENT: In Math 342 we study the following topics: matrix algebra, eigenvalues; inner product spaces; theory of a single linear transformation. We also cover many applications of these topics. Specific “learning outcomes” include being familiar with the abstract language of vector spaces and linear transformations, understand how the matrix of a linear transformation from a vector space back to itself transforms when you change basis, being able to diagonalize matrices by finding eigenvectors and eigenvalues, know some applications of diagonalization to linear differential and difference equations, being able to apply the Gram-Schmidt algorithm to find orthogonal bases, understand the spectral theorem for symmetric matrices and its implications for quadratic forms, know some applications of quadratic forms to optimization problems.

· ATTENDANCE: Please remember that if you miss a class it is your responsibility to find out what happened in that class.

· COURSE WEB PAGE: The homework and other class material will be available in canvas and at the web page http://pages.uoregon.edu/arkadiy/342new.html

· GRADING: Total 100%. Will be based on:

• HOMEWORK (20%): The first homework due Thursday April 10. Following homework will be collected on Thursdays.  Late homework will not be accepted. I will choose a subset of the assigned problems to be graded. The lowest homework score will be dropped.
• QUIZZES (15%) There will be short quizzes on Monday weeks 3, 5, 8. They will be based on the material covered in the previous week's homework.
• ONE MIDTERM (30%): on Monday May 5.
• FINAL (35%): on Wednesday June 11 at 14:45.

· REMARK:  I expect you to be able to carry out matrix calculations by hand so as to gain a solid understanding of what these calculations entail. You may use graphing calculators, Mathlab, Maple, etc. on your homework problems. You will not be allowed to use them on your quizzes or exams. You may have one card 3x5 inches with any formulas you wish during the quizzes, midterm, and the final exam.  

                                    Tentative Schedule

Week 1/Mar. 31-Apr. 4	sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
Week 2/Apr. 7-11	sections 5.3, 5.4, 5.5
Week 3/Apr. 14-18**	Quiz 1, sections 5.6, 5.7
Week 4/Apr. 21-25	sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.3
Week 5/Apr. 28-May 2	Quiz 2, sections 6.4, 6.5, Review
Week 6/May 5-9	Midterm, sections 6.5, 6.6
Week 7/May 12-16	sections 6.6, 6.7, 6.8
Week 8/May 19-23	Quiz 3, sections 7.1, 7.2
Week 9/May 26-30*	sections 7.2, 7.3
Week 10/Jun. 2-Jun. 6**	sections 7.3, 7.4, Final Review

*No class on May 26 - Memorial Day holiday
**I will not be around on Monday of weeks 3 and 10. The classes will be covered by other professors.

Important dates:        (See Course Schedule or Academic Calendar)

Apr 5:              Last day to drop a class without a "W;"
Apr 7:              Last day to add a class;
May 18:           Last day to drop a class with a "W", change grade options (Graded or P/N)