6.241 Fall 2009 Questions and Answers

• What is the 6.241 problem set policy?
• Normally, the problem sets are to be submitted at the lecture on the due date. However, since the purpose of the homework is to aid in learning and progress assessment, not grading, I will be granting extensions and make up options on a case-by-case basis.
  • For a valid reason, external to the 6.241 matters (i.e. a (documented) conference deadline is possibly acceptable while difficulty of the problem set is not) I can grant a 1/2 week extension. I will limit the total number of such extensions to two per student, not counting those for medical or family emergency reasons, prompted by a letter from MIT administration.
  • I will offer make-up problems to those who are not satisfied with quality of their original papers and/or the grades they have received. Such make-ups are to be requested within a week after the graded original paper was released, and will have their own submission deadlines.
• Which linear algebra textbooks will be useful?
• While I expect that any "proof-based" linear algebra text will be adequate (though perhaps excessive), and I admit my ignorance on what the best linear algebra textbooks are, here are my suggestions:
  • "Linear Algebra Done Right" by Sheldon Axler: a popular undergraduate textbook which is written from a "coordinate-free approach" viewpoint.
  • "Linear Algebra" by Peter D. Lax: mostly because I have a copy, and can see that it is adequate (though much more than you need)
  • I have posted the lecture notes (pdf) from a graduate linear algebra class being developed here specifically as the background for EECS theory classes in systems, control, communications, and optimization. Once again, it is a bit too much, but should be adequate as well.