Basic Linear Algebra

In this chapter, we study the topics in linear algebra that will be needed in the rest of the book. We begin by discussing the building blocks of linear algebra: matrices and vectors. Then we use our knowledge of matrices and vectors to develop a systematic procedure (the Gauss– Jordan method) for solving linear equations, which we then use to invert matrices. We close the chapter with an introduction to determinants. The material covered in this chapter will be used in our study of linear and nonlinear programming.