Linear Algebra

[amdskip]

I took it the first time up until the final drop point and ducked out. I was getting a low D and I think the class was down to 6 or 8 students from the original 20+. Took it the second time with an instructor who wore flip flops, shorts, and Hawaiian shirts everyday. He's a product of the 70's and a pretty good teacher actually.

 

[Born2bwire]

I liked linear algebra. Linear algebra and discrete mathematics were two of the easiest math courses that I took. Oddly enough though, I have never really used the discrete math much if at all but linear algebra is very useful. I always like the math classes that can be very useful to me, vector calculus, linear algebra, complex math. Mathematical methods for physics are good classes too. My university added a mathematical methods for engineers course, it was an undergrad course as opposed to the physics course, but I never got to take it. I had to drop it due to scheduling concerns but I was very interested in sitting in to see what it was like in comparison to the physics version.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Made an A in both undergrad Linear Algebra and undergrad Linear Programming.

I am in the graduate version of Linear Algebra now and it is a nightmare, but I know the material after the 10 hours worth of mandatory proof homework every week. At least the teacher is awesome.

 

[Unitary]

Linear Algebra is essentially the backbone for most of advanced mathematics. Unfortunately, most undergraduate classes focus too much on matrices for computation and vector space examples for this to be seen. It's too bad because there are many accessible and interesting examples of linear transformations, vector spaces and subspaces utilizing elementary calculus.

 

[MrPickins]

Three class in, and I'm liking it better than discrete I or II. I'm sure that will change, however...

I expect it to be useful for me in the future, so I don't mind it being a bit tough.

 

[IronWing]

I thought linear algebra was okay. It wasn't a cakewalk but it was easier than Calc II (or whatever they call integration these days).

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: MrPickins
Three class in, and I'm liking it better than discrete I or II. I'm sure that will change, however...

I expect it to be useful for me in the future, so I don't mind it being a bit tough.

Enjoy the weekend. Next week, you're in for a treat. :evil:

 

[RichieZ]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
I'd happily trade you my discrete class for your linear algebra class.

Too bad I took it some 8 years ago.

uh discrete math was much easier than linear algebra, probably b/c I actually thought there was some use for it.

 

[potoba]

you're talking about matrix algebra or the "real" linear algebra? Matrix algebra is really easy. "Real" linear algebra is really hard and abstract. But, it is used a lot in my research now, much more than calculus.

 

[eLiu]

Originally posted by: Leros
linear algebra was the easiest class I've taken in college.

Linear algebra was the easiest class I took in high school.

1-up'd.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
I'd happily trade you my discrete class for your linear algebra class.

Too bad I took it some 8 years ago.

:thumbsup: I'm in Discrete 2 now. Ugh... Although I'm actually getting the stuff now, but it's only the 4th day of class.

 

[slugg]

The combination of discrete math + linear algebra + trig = solution to 99.9% of problems.

Calculus is a POS.

Hang in there! Linear algebra isn't TOO bad! Just practice easy examples over and over again. Eventually it'll just click!

 

[timosyy]

Linear Algebra caused me quite a bit of frustration, mostly because I had no idea why I was taking the course (I had transferred in Calculus I & II, but the administration decided that they didn't cover matrices in enough detail, and that I had to take Linear Algebra). I'm preeeeeeeetty sure Linear Algebra went far more in-depth than Calculus I (the highest math required of the major I'm in) would have regarding matrices (and of course a number of areas Calculus didn't cover).

I'll echo some of the earlier sentiments: First week or two I thought it'd be the easiest math class I'd ever take. Next week onward completely blindsided me. Still ended up with an A-, but that's actually pretty low for me (I'm normally very aggressive about getting A's).

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: slugg
The combination of discrete math + linear algebra + trig = solution to 99.9% of problems.

Calculus is a POS.

Hang in there! Linear algebra isn't TOO bad! Just practice easy examples over and over again. Eventually it'll just click!

Blaspheme!!!

But whoever said LA was the backbone of advanced mathematics was spot on... abstract geometry, abstract algebra, OR, etc. It's very useful, but it's not obvious to most students when they're actually taking it. Teachers could do a far better job of explaining this. When I took it, someone asked what the point was of linear transformations was. Teacher just shrugged. I guess that teacher hadn't taken undergraduate geometry yet.

 

[tokie]

Why the hate for Linear Algebra? It wasn't that bad when I took it, it just took a lot of time and the assignments were very tedious.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: potoba
you're talking about matrix algebra or the "real" linear algebra? Matrix algebra is really easy. "Real" linear algebra is really hard and abstract. But, it is used a lot in my research now, much more than calculus.

yeah...matrix algerba was only 1 day....then we got into the reall absract stuff....then we related it to calculus. man.....what a disaster that class was.


In todays world of computing....linear algebra tops all. It is the basis of programs like matlab and it is how most robots operate.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: tokie
Why the hate for Linear Algebra? It wasn't that bad when I took it, it just took a lot of time and the assignments were very tedious.

My wife HATED it, too... but her instructor SUCKED. You could tell he was about a quarter step ahead of the students, so you pretty much had the blind leading the blind. Appreciating LA means appreciated its applications, and if your instructor can't bridge that gap for you, you're probably going to hate it because you'll assume it's "stupid."

 

[txrandom]

Linear algebra is the easy math you'll take in college assuming you are an engineering, physics, or math major.

 

[zinfamous]

I should have taken more math classes.

You people speak gibberish to me