[Your Name / Institutional Affiliation]
April 17, 2026
Linear algebra, problem-based learning, Halmos, mathematical pedagogy, vector spaces, self-study. 1. Introduction Linear algebra is a cornerstone of modern mathematics, yet its teaching often oscillates between abstract theory and computational routine. Paul Richard Halmos (1916–2006), a master expositor and mathematician, attempted a radical middle path in his Linear Algebra Problem Book (henceforth LAPB). First published by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) in 1995, the book is neither a conventional problem collection nor a standard textbook. Instead, it presents the subject entirely through a carefully orchestrated sequence of problems, with brief commentary and historical notes.