Butte College

Course Outline

2026-2027 Catalog

MATH 42 - Linear Algebra

Catalog Description

Transfer Status
CSU/UC
Prerequisite
MATH C2210 or MATH C2210E
Unit(s)
3.00
  • Lecture: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
  • Total: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course develops the techniques and theory needed to solve and classify systems of linear equations. Solution techniques include row operations, Gaussian elimination, and matrix algebra. Investigates the properties of vectors in two and three dimensions, leading to the notion of an abstract vector space. Vector space and matrix theory are presented including topics such as inner products, norms, orthogonality, eigenvalues, eigenspaces, and linear transformations. Selected applications of linear algebra are included. (C-ID MATH 250).

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Find solutions of systems of equations using various methods appropriate to lower division linear algebra.
  2. Use bases and orthonormal bases to solve problems in linear algebra.
  3. Find the dimension of spaces such as those associated with matrices and linear transformations.
  4. Find eigenvalues and eigenvectors and use them in applications.
  5. Prove basic results in linear algebra using appropriate proof-writing techniques such as linear independence of vectors; properties of subspaces; linearity, injectivity and surjectivity of functions; and properties of eigenvectors and eigenvalues.

Course Content

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

Lecture topics and suggested hours
TopicsLec Hrs

Techniques for solving systems of linear equations including Gaussian and Gauss-Jordan elimination and inverse matrics

4.00

Matix algebra, invertibility, and the transpose

2.00

Relationship between coefficient matrix invertibility and solutions to a system of linear equations and the inverse matrices

2.00

Special matrices: diagonal, triangular, and symmetric

2.00

Determinants and their properties

4.00

Vector algebra for Rn

2.00

Real vector space and subspaces

3.00

Linear independence and dependence

2.00

Basis and dimension of a vector space

2.00

Matrix-generated spaces: row space, column space, null space, rank, nullity

5.00

Change of basis

3.00

Linear transformations, kernel and range, and inverse linear transformations

3.00

Matrices of general linear transformations

3.00

Eigenvalues, eigenvectors, eigenspace

3.00

Diagonalization including orthogonal diagonalization of symmetric matrices

4.00

Inner products on a real vector space

1.00

Dot product, norm of a vector, angle between vectors, orthogonality of two vectors in Rn

2.00

Angle and orthogonality in inner product spaces

2.00

Orthogonal and orthonormal bases: Gram-Schmidt process

2.00
Total Hours:51.00

Methods of Instruction

  1. Collaborative Group Work
  2. Discussion
  3. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
  4. Lecture

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Quizzes
  3. Daily Homework Assignments, where the student will demonstrate problem-solving
    skills, Class Assignments and Class Response

Examples of Assignments

Reading Assignments

  1. Read the section in the textbook on Vector Spaces and be able to state the axioms which define a vector space, as well as give examples of sets which are vector spaces and also give examples of sets which are not.
  2. Read the section in the textbook on Basis and Dimension, and be able to state the conditions for a set of vectors to be a basis for a given vector space.

Writing Assignments

  1. Explain the idea of linear independence, how to determine if a system of linear equations is independent or dependent. Be sure to discuss why in a set of linearly independent vectors no member of the set can be written as a linear combination of other members of the set.
  2. Define a linear transformation, and give examples which are linear and those that are not.

Out-of-Class Assignments

  1. Review the section in the textbook on Linear Transformations and do the problems assigned by the instructor showing all work.
  2. Review the section in the textbook on Eigenvectors and Eigenvalues, and do the problems assigned by the instructor showing all work.

Recommended Materials of Instruction

Lay, D.C. (2021). Linear Algebra and Its Applications. Pearson, 6th.

Other Learning Materials

Graphing calculator with row reduction capabilities

Minimum Qualifications

Mathematics (Masters Required)