# Linear Algebra Done Wrong by Sergei Treil

Hacker Approved page: https://hackerapproved.com/p/linear-algebra-done-wrong/

3 people recommended Linear Algebra Done Wrong by Sergei Treil in Hacker News comments and 1 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.

2 of the 3 people who recommend it commented in one thread, “Linear Algebra Done Right – Sheldon Axler”.

**Verdict:** Recommended for motivated honors math students who want a proof-focused approach that covers determinants, which some other linear algebra texts avoid.

Summary written by Claude from 4 comments.

## Why people recommend it

- Proof-focused honors approach (2 comments in the sample): "probably the best option for a motivated honors math student, because unlike Axler the author doesn't hate determinants" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49337879)) "for an honors approach with more focus on proofs" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49327830))
- Liked by readers (1 comment in the sample): "I quite liked Linear Algebra Done Wrong" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48889356))

## 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
- [Linear Algebra and Its Applications by David Lay](https://hackerapproved.com/p/linear-algebra-and-its-applications/): 5 recommend, 1 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 Done Wrong by Sergei Treil", https://hackerapproved.com/p/linear-algebra-done-wrong/ (3 recommend, 0 mixed, 1 criticize; Hacker News comments, November 2025 to October 2026).

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