Poole’s "Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction," 5th Edition, prepares students to transition from computational to theoretical mathematics. Balancing theory and application, the conversational writing style combines traditional presentation with student-centered learning. Theoretical, computational and applied topics are presented in a flexible, integrated way. Stressing geometric understanding before computational techniques, vectors and vector geometry are introduced early to help students visualize concepts and develop mathematical maturity for abstract thinking. Numerous applications drawn from a variety of disciplines reinforce that linear algebra is a valuable tool for modeling real-life problems. End-of-section exercises in WebAssign allow students to practice linear algebra concepts and techniques. Learning objectives in each section serve as a guide for students and instructors.