The book presents basic results in Algebra and Linear Algebra. It needs no prerequisites except some knowledge of set theory and number systems. The initial chapters cover the topics such as Groups, Rings and Vector Spaces usually taught at the undergraduate level. The latter chapters contain some additional topics such as Modules, Structure theorems, Galois theory, Canonical forms and Quadratic forms which are taught at the postgraduate level. The topics have been presented in a simple, clear and coherent style with a number of examples and exercises. Proofs have been made direct and simple, omitting irrelevant details. The book has evolved out of teaching over a period of years and can serve as a textbook on Algebra as well as Linear Algebra. About the Author Prof. N S Gopalakrishnan passed BSc. (Hons.) in Mathematics from Vivekananda College, Chennai in 1955 and MA in the same subject from the University of Madras, Chennai in 1956. He had his early research training at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai. He did PhD in Homological Algebra in 1963 from the Pune University. He has been teaching Algebra, Algebraic Topology, Homological Algebra and Commutative Algebra in the Pune University. He was a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and a recognized guide for PhD in the University of Pune. He has participated in various national and international symposia and has taught at several summer institutes. He has published research papers in scientific journals, and has written a textbook, Commutative Algebra.
