This best-selling textbook for a second course in linear algebra is aimed at undergrad math majors & graduate students The novel approach taken here banishes determinants to the end of the book The text focuses on the central goal of linear algebra understanding the structure of linear operators on finite-dimensional vector spaces The author has taken unusual care to motivate concepts & to simplify proofs A variety of interesting exercises in each chapter helps students understand & manipulate the objects of linear algebra The third edition contains major improvements & revisions throughout the book More than 300 new exercises have been added since the previous edition Many new examples have been added to illustrate the key ideas of linear algebra New topics covered in the book include product spaces"ient spaces & dual spaces Beautiful new formatting creates pages with an unusually pleasant appearance in both print & electronic versions No prerequisites are assumed other than the usual demand for suitable mathematical maturity Thus the text starts by discussing vector spaces linear independence span basis & dimension The book then deals with linear maps eigenvalues & eigenvectors Inner-product spaces are introduced leading to the finite-dimensional spectral theorem & its consequences Generalized eigenvectors are then used to provide insight into the structure of a linear operator