This book addresses college students' weak foundation in algebra, its causes, and potential solutions to improve their long-term success and understanding in mathematics as a whole. The authors, who are experts in a wide variety of fields, emphasize that these difficulties are more complex than just forgotten rules, and offer strategic approaches from a number of angles that will increase the chances of student understanding. Instructors who are frustrated with their students' lack of skills and knowledge at college level will find this volume helpful, as the authors confront the deeper...

This volume presents research on students' conceptual difficulties with linear algebra. It discusses the following research questions:

a. How can applications of Linear Algebra be used as motivation for studying the topic?

b. What are the advantages of proving results in Linear Algebra in different ways?

c. In what ways can a linear algebra course be adapted to meet the needs of students from other disciplines, such as engineering, physics, and computer science?

d. How can challenging problems be used in teaching Linear Algebra?

e. In what way should technology be...