# Linear Algebra and Its Applications by David Lay

Hacker Approved page: https://hackerapproved.com/p/linear-algebra-and-its-applications/

5 people recommended Linear Algebra and Its Applications by David Lay in Hacker News comments, 1 had mixed feelings and none criticized it, November 2025 to October 2026. It was recommended in 2 of 12 months, in 2 threads. It does not meet the Hacker Approved badge rule.

4 of the 5 people who recommend it commented in one thread, “Linear Algebra Done Right – Sheldon Axler”.

**Verdict:** Recommended as a clear introductory linear algebra textbook, also useful for later review. Critics note it is basic and skips advanced topics.

Summary written by Claude from 6 comments.

## Why people recommend it

- Popular first textbook for linear algebra (2 comments in the sample): "I had this as my very first textbook in community college. Loved it!" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49334670)) "the best introductory linear algebra textbook, hands down" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49333900))

## What people warn about

- Basic, lacks advanced topics (1 comment in the sample): "It is a basic textbook and doesn't cover anything advanced." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49336348))

## Other linear algebra textbooks people recommend

- [Linear Algebra Done Right by Sheldon Axler](https://hackerapproved.com/p/linear-algebra-done-right/): 34 recommend, 6 mixed, 11 criticize
- [Introduction to Linear Algebra by Gilbert Strang](https://hackerapproved.com/p/introduction-to-linear-algebra/): 8 recommend, 2 mixed, 5 criticize
- [Linear Algebra by Friedberg, Insel and Spence](https://hackerapproved.com/p/linear-algebra/): 7 recommend, 1 mixed, 0 criticize
- [No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra by Ivan Savov](https://hackerapproved.com/p/no-bullshit-guide-to-linear-algebra/): 5 recommend, 0 mixed, 0 criticize

## The badge

A product earns the Hacker Approved badge when at least 10 people recommend it, recommenders outnumber critics at least 2 to 1 (mixed feelings count toward neither side), it was recommended in at least 4 of the 12 months and in at least 5 different threads, and no single thread supplies more than half of the people who recommend it. Health and money products are never badged.

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Linear Algebra and Its Applications by David Lay", https://hackerapproved.com/p/linear-algebra-and-its-applications/ (5 recommend, 1 mixed, 0 criticize; Hacker News comments, November 2025 to October 2026).

Counts updated 2 Nov 2026, with data through October 31, 2026.