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Manga Guide to Linear Algebra

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The Manga Guide to Linear Algebra Sample Spread
by Shin Takahashi, Iroha Inoue and Trend-Pro Co., Ltd.

May 2012, 264 pp.
ISBN: 978-1-59327-413-9
Contents | Reviews | Updates

Reiji wants two things in life: a black belt in karate and Misa, the girl of his dreams. Luckily, Misa's big brother is the captain of the university karate club and is ready to strike a deal: Reiji can join the club if he tutors Misa in linear algebra.

Follow along in The Manga Guide to Linear Algebra as Reiji takes Misa from the absolute basics of this tricky subject through mind-bending operations like performing linear transformations, calculating determinants, and finding eigenvectors and eigenvalues. With memorable examples like miniature golf games and karate tournaments, Reiji transforms abstract concepts into something concrete, understandable, and even fun.

As you follow Misa through her linear algebra crash course, you'll learn about:

  • Basic vector and matrix operations such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication
  • Linear dependence, independence, and bases
  • Using Gaussian elimination to calculate inverse matrices
  • Subspaces, dimension, and linear span
  • Practical applications of linear algebra in fields like computer graphics, cryptography, and engineering

But Misa's brother may get more than he bargained for as sparks start to fly between student and tutor. Will Reiji end up with the girl—or just a pummeling from her oversized brother? Real math, real romance, and real action come together like never before in The Manga Guide to Linear Algebra.

About the Author

Shin Takahashi was born 1972 in Niigata. He received a master's degree from Kyushu Institute of Design (known as Kyushu University today). Having previously worked both as an analyst and as a seminar leader, he is now an author specializing in technical literature.

Table of Contents

Prologue: Let the Training Begin!
Chapter 1: What Is Linear Algebra?
Chapter 2: The Fundamentals
Chapter 3: Intro to Matrices
Chapter 4: More Matrices
Chapter 5: Intro to Vectors
Chapter 6: More Vectors
Chapter 7: Linear Transformations
Chapter 8: Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
Epilogue
Index

View the Index (PDF)
View the detailed Table of Contents (PDF)

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Reviews

Recommended by Choice Magazine

"[The Manga style] makes the material easy to leaf through and learn in a quick, enjoyable fashion."
—Dr. Dobb's (Read More)

"The images are incredibly helpful in visualizing the examples and concepts."
—Johanna Draper Carlson, Comics Worth Reading (Read More)

"The Manga Guides are highly recommended to parents who wish to offer an alternative to the often staid presentations of this material."
—Greg Barbrick, Blog Critics (Read More)

"I believe this book is something quite a few students will find useful in their study arsenal and a perfect complement to study notes and other available resources."
—Sam Worboys, The Otaku's Study (Read More)

"Whether you're a student needing some help or a parent trying to help their child, the Manga Guide books are a great asset. Not everyone learns the same way, and these books are a wonderful, alternative learning tool."
—Sheena McNeil, Sequential Tart (Read More)

"I think you could hand this to any good student in algebra or beyond and they would be able to figure a lot of this stuff out on their own."
—Tom DeRosa, Teach Forever (Read More)

"This is an impressive series that consistently makes very difficult academic topics more interesting and a little easier for students."
—Matthew Helmke (dot) Net (Read More)

"I just wish they'd had this book when I was in school!"
—Cute Everything (Read More)

"I would wholeheartedly recommend [The Manga Guide to Linear Algebra] to students just learning the subject as well as to anyone needing to brush up."
—Gail Carmichael, The Female Perspective of Computer Science Blog (Read More)

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