Peter D. Lax 当代最杰出的数学家之一，世界数学界最高荣誉阿贝尔奖（2005年）和沃尔夫奖（1987年）得主。他是美国科学院院士，并于1986年荣获美国国家科技 奖章。Lax生于匈牙利，自1958年开始就一直在美国纽约大学从事教学与研究工作，曾担任柯朗数学研究所所长。他在纯数学与应用数学的诸多领域都有卓越 的建树，影响深远。同时，他一生致力于数学教育，独立撰写或与他人合著教材20多部，阿贝尔奖颁奖辞如此评价他：“他的著作、他对教育事业付出的毕生心血 以及他在培养年轻一代数学家时体现出的孜孜不倦的精神，在世界数学领域留下了不可磨灭的影响。

Praise for the First Edition

". . .recommended for the teacher and researcher as well as for graduate students. In fact, [it] has a place on every mathematician's bookshelf." -American Mathematical Monthly

Linear Algebra and Its Applications, Second Edition presents linear algebra as the theory and practice of linear spaces and linear maps with a unique focus on the analytical aspects as well as the numerous applications of the subject. In addition to thorough coverage of linear equations, matrices, vector spaces, game theory, and numerical analysis, the Second Edition features student-friendly additions that enhance the book's accessibility, including expanded topical coverage in the early chapters, additional exercises, and solutions to selected problems.

Beginning chapters are devoted to the abstract structure of finite dimensional vector spaces, and subsequent chapters address convexity and the duality theorem as well as describe the basics of normed linear spaces and linear maps between normed spaces.

Further updates and revisions have been included to reflect the most up-to-date coverage of the topic, including: The QR algorithm for finding the eigenvalues of a self-adjoint matrix The Householder algorithm for turning self-adjoint matrices into tridiagonal form The compactness of the unit ball as a criterion of finite dimensionality of a normed linear spaceAdditionally, eight new appendices have been added and cover topics such as: the Fast Fourier Transform; the spectral radius theorem; the Lorentz group; the compactness criterion for finite dimensionality; the characterization of commentators; proof of Liapunov's stability criterion; the construction of the Jordan Canonical form of matrices; and Carl Pearcy's elegant proof of Halmos' conjecture about the numerical range of matrices.

Clear, concise, and superbly organized, Linear Algebra and Its Applications, Second Edition serves as an excellent text for advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in linear algebra. Its comprehensive treatment of the subject also makes it an ideal reference or self-study for industry professionals.