Linear Methods: A General Education Course is expressly written for non-mathematical students, particularly freshmen taking a required core mathematics course. Rather than covering a hodgepodge of different topics as is typical for a core mathematics course, this text encourages students to explore one particular branch of mathematics, elementary linear algebra, in some depth. The material is presented in an accessible manner, as opposed to a traditional overly rigorous approach. While introducing students to useful topics in linear algebra, the book also includes a gentle introduction to more abstract facets of the subject. Many relevant uses of linear algebra in today's world are illustrated, including applications involving business, economics, elementary graph theory, Markov chains, linear regression and least-squares polynomials, geometric transformations, and elementary physics. The authors have included proofs of various important elementary theorems and properties which provide readers with the reasoning behind these results. Features: Written for a general education core course in introductory mathematics Introduces elementary linear algebra concepts to non-mathematics majors Provides an informal introduction to elementary proofs involving matrices and vectors Includes useful applications from linear algebra related to business, graph theory, regression, and elementary physics Authors Bio: David Hecker is a Professor of Mathematics at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. He received his Ph.D. from Rutgers University and has published several journal articles. He also co-authored several editions of Elementary Linear Algebra with Stephen Andrilli. Stephen Andrilli is a Professor in the Mathematics and Computer Science Department at La Salle University in Philadelphia. He received his Ph.D. from Rutgers University and also co-authored several editions of Elementary Linear Algebra with David Hecker.

Linear Methods: A General Education Course is expressly written for non-mathematical students, particularly freshmen taking a required core mathematics course. Rather than covering a hodgepodge of different topics as is typical for a core mathematics course, this text encourages students to explore one particular branch of mathematics, elementary linear algebra, in some depth. The material is presented in an accessible manner, as opposed to a traditional overly rigorous approach. While introducing students to useful topics in linear algebra, the book also includes a gentle introduction to more abstract facets of the subject. Many relevant uses of linear algebra in today's world are illustrated, including applications involving business, economics, elementary graph theory, Markov chains, linear regression and least-squares polynomials, geometric transformations, and elementary physics. The authors have included proofs of various important elementary theorems and properties which provide readers with the reasoning behind these results. Features: Written for a general education core course in introductory mathematics Introduces elementary linear algebra concepts to non-mathematics majors Provides an informal introduction to elementary proofs involving matrices and vectors Includes useful applications from linear algebra related to business, graph theory, regression, and elementary physics Authors Bio: David Hecker is a Professor of Mathematics at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. He received his Ph.D. from Rutgers University and has published several journal articles. He also co-authored several editions of Elementary Linear Algebra with Stephen Andrilli. Stephen Andrilli is a Professor in the Mathematics and Computer Science Department at La Salle University in Philadelphia. He received his Ph.D. from Rutgers University and also co-authored several editions of Elementary Linear Algebra with David Hecker.

Elementary Linear Algebra, Sixth Edition provides a solid introduction to both the computational and theoretical aspects of linear algebra, covering many important real-world applications, including graph theory, circuit theory, Markov chains, elementary coding theory, least-squares polynomials and least-squares solutions for inconsistent systems, differential equations, computer graphics and quadratic forms. In addition, many computational techniques in linear algebra are presented, including iterative methods for solving linear systems, LDU Decomposition, the Power Method for finding eigenvalues, QR Decomposition, and Singular Value Decomposition and its usefulness in digital imaging.

Elementary Linear Algebra, 5th edition, by Stephen Andrilli and David Hecker, is a textbook for a beginning course in linear algebra for sophomore or junior mathematics majors. This text provides a solid introduction to both the computational and theoretical aspects of linear algebra. The textbook covers many important real-world applications of linear algebra, including graph theory, circuit theory, Markov chains, elementary coding theory, least-squares polynomials and least-squares solutions for inconsistent systems, differential equations, computer graphics and quadratic forms. Also, many computational techniques in linear algebra are presented, including iterative methods for solving linear systems, LDU Decomposition, the Power Method for finding eigenvalues, QR Decomposition, and Singular Value Decomposition and its usefulness in digital imaging. The most unique feature of the text is that students are nurtured in the art of creating mathematical proofs using linear algebra as the underlying context. The text contains a large number of worked out examples, as well as more than 970 exercises (with over 2600 total questions) to give students practice in both the computational aspects of the course and in developing their proof-writing abilities. Every section of the text ends with a series of true/false questions carefully designed to test the students' understanding of the material. In addition, each of the first seven chapters concludes with a thorough set of review exercises and additional true/false questions. Supplements to the text include an Instructor's Manual with answers to all of the exercises in the text, and a Student Solutions Manual with detailed answers to the starred exercises in the text. Finally, there are seven additional web sections available on the book's website to instructors who adopt the text.

"Cold logic held his attention. Recording specifics gave him a sense of belonging that nothing else did. As he wrote, he grew less and less emotional."

A change of heart prompts one man to reevaluate the life he thought he knew in David Hecker's contemplative debut, "Strangers Before the Bench."

George Schwartz prides himself on his job as an Immigration Naturalization Service Hearing judge. Working in Seattle, he has gained a reputation as a "fences up" judge, meaning that immigrants who appear before him on even the slightest infraction can count on being deported. Schwartz has no doubt that he is doing things the American way.

But all that changes when Schwartz discovers that his ancestors from Central Europe had suffered greatly at the hands of officials who acted much like Schwartz himself.

This discovery, along with his budding romance with a candid reporter, forces Schwartz to rethink his stance. Hecker's thoughtful prose perfectly captures Schwartz's stunning transformation into a judge who advocates for immigrants' rights. But as pressure mounts from other INS judges and prosecutors, will Schwartz find the strength to fight back?