Addresses the needs of those who often have weak analytic ability, little idea of strategies of problem solving, and less of the patience and confidence needed to work proofs. It introduces readers to the active practice of mathematics—luring them away from the view of mathematics as a system of rules and procedures and helping them learn to think things through for themselves and to explain accurately what they have understood. Uses linear algebra and complex numbers throughout. Highlights all theorems (propositions, lemmas, corollaries) and definitions in boxes. Features an abundance of high-quality exercises.