ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the groundwork for Chapter 3, which gives a basic introduction to matrix algebra. Both chapters are vital for the understanding of the theory of linear models.
The present chapter reviews some fundamental concepts concerning vector spaces and subspaces, linear dependence and independence of elements in a vector space, direct sums, bases, and dimensions of vector spaces, in addition to linear transformations. The main purpose of this chapter is to familiarize the reader with these concepts, but without delving deeply into the theory of linear algebra. The references at the end of the book can be consulted for a more detailed study of the subject area.
