An easy-to-follow guide to practical, real-world applications of linear algebra Linear algebra is a branch of mathematics that uses matrices to solve systems of linear equations; it has applications in many disciplines, from sociology and game theory to computer programming, engineering, and business. Linear Algebra For Dummies maps to a typical, college-level linear algebra course, in which students first study matrices and matrix operations, then apply those fundamentals to abstract topics such as vector spaces, linear transformations, determinants, and, finally, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. It gives students theoretical and practical ways of approaching various types of problems, presenting the information in a way that allows readers to fully digest not just the how of solving linear algebraic problems, but also the why. Mary Jane Sterling (Peoria, IL) is the author of Algebra For Dummies (978-0-7645-5325-7), Business Math for Dummies (978-0-470-23331-3), and several other books. She has been teaching at Bradley University for almost 30 years.