W4T Undergraduate Algebra

Web Sites for Teaching Undergraduate Algebra

Abstract Algebra Online, by John Beachy at Northern Illinois University.: This is at least a glossary, but closer to a full book. A simple browser with graphics support (e.g., Netscape) is sufficient (no Java needed).
Arithmetic properties of Binomial Coefficients, by Andrew Granville at University of Georgia.: This is a series of short notes, which goes from "Elementary Number Theory" to "Congruences modulo higher powers of primes," threaded by a theme of properties of binomial coefficients.
A Brief History of Algebra and Computing, by Jonathan P. Bowen at Oxford University.: This starts with the "Origins of Algebra" (1650 bc) through "Recent Developments" (application to program correctness). The historical facts provide interesting vantages for students, especially those in the lower division interested in computing. The page contains related links for further investigation.
Interactive Exercises on Matrix Algebra, by Kostadin Antchev at Tempere University.: This has very basic exercises, such as adding vectors or matrices, which the student can do for practice. Student answers are checked, giving feedback.
Linear Algebra (Math 308F), by Chris Hillman at University of Washington.: This has postscript materials, with some interesting flair. One note is "Everything You'll Ever Need to Know about Determinants," designed to give geometric intuition. Besides the usual topics, this has interesting applications, such "Introduction to Markov Chains." Problems sets and exams are included.
Perfect Number Journey, by Heng O.K.: This is a sequence of four short lessons on perfect numbers and Mersenne primes. It begins with Euclid's method and ends with the largest known Mersenne prime.
The Prime Page, by Chris Caldwell at University of Tennessee at Martin.: This could be a fun place to send students into number theory. The Largest Known Primes has fascinating materials, including the latest (1997) largest prime (by G. Spence and G. Woltman): 2^2976221 - 1. The Finding Primes and Proving Primality page includes "Quick Tests" that would be among introductory materials.
Templates for the Solution of Linear Systems: Building Blocks for Iterative Methods, by Richard Barrett, Michael Berry, Tony F. Chan, James Demmel, June Donato, Jack Dongarra, Victor Eijkhout, Roldan Pozo, Charles Romine, and Henk van der Vorst, from SIAM.: This is a book, accessible with just html (+ graphics), which introduces fundamental iterative methods, notably Jacobi, Gauss-Seidel, [Bi]Conjugate gradient, and Chebyshev. The chapters include notes on preconditioning, decomposition, and other related subjects. They describe how to obtain the NetLib software system, BLAS, for operating on vectors and matrices. Their glossary provides a convenient way for students to look up terms.