Which is an easier class to take ?
I’m taking linear algebra in high school now (yes I know it’s easier than the college class) and I hate it. I got through calc no problem, but linear algebra is giving me trouble. It’s not "hard’ math, but there’s annoying proofs and vector spaces.
More input please ? Lol
Linear algebra is a whole lot of tedium based in math. You will learn to appreciate a small number of the mathematical conveniences it creates as a BS engineer, a fair number of its mathematical models as a CS major, and some amount more if you major in math or go on to take analysis courses. It has its uses but if you only work as an engineer, most of those will be lost on you. As far as classes go, it’s not hard, but you will most likely hate it because at a low level, it feels pointless and tedious. That may or may not be true, depending on what you choose to do with it.
Differential equations is a whole different beast. If you ever take a single physics class, its mathematical benefits will be painfully obvious. But it’s a very difficult subject to work with and you will probably not really understand what is actually going on with just one class. I hear it’s easy enough to pass with a C by just memorizing formulas and using Wolfram etc., if that’s the path you choose.
In short: differential equations. But it’s probably a moot point since most engineers need both.
I’ve used linear algebra just as much as differential equations (often combined) as an aerospace engineer. They are both important.
Most people would say linear algebra is easier but not everyone.
I found linear algebra computationally much easier than differential equations, but the “why” was much harder to “get” than DiffEq where the relationship of a mathematical model was easier to connect with a physical/real world system (predator-prey, mixing/draining water tanks, springs, hammer hits, analog electrical circuits). Very little of my linear algebra class was immediately related to real world problems despite the title of the textbook “Linear Algebra and it’s Applications;” in fact it was mostly proofs and definitions. It’s a breath of fresh air when in upper level engineering and physics classes they use linear algebra to model a physical system/solve a problem because then I don’t feel like the math class was a total waste.
I absolutely hate proofs and analysis types of courses, so I’m definitely choosing to take differential equations instead…
Best I can tell from looking at many engineering curricula, it’s not either/or, it’s just about when. Pay me now or pay me later. 
deleted accidental double post.
Oh actually I’m a computer science major and I only need one or the other, I only posted on this section because the CS/math forum is dead and most on this section already know me/ are my friends since I was doing engineering before.
CS majors absolutely definitely need LinAlg more. Like proofs or not, they are strongly embedded into the major.
I’ll second what NeoDymium said. Linear algebra is perhaps an order of magnitude more important to CS than differential equations.
I’ll second what NeoDymium said. Linear algebra is perhaps an order of magnitude more important to CS than differential equations.
Linear Algebra is easier than Diff EQ.
So then why is it added as a co-requisite rather than a requirement if it is considered important for my major ? @bone @neody
Only requirement for math is probability and stats & calc 2…
Maybe you read it wrong, maybe you have a strange degree system. In every program I have ever seen, LinAlg is required and DiffEq is recommended.
Nope, didn’t read it wrong http://www.wpunj.edu/dotAsset/d725aece-7f0b-44b0-a48d-d19a9dd62b80.pdf
A bit of a strange program IMO, in that it gives you a lot more leeway in class choices than most I have seen. In most schools, many of the math and CS courses which are listed as optional in yours are required. And a lot of the more interesting of those are where LinAlg really becomes useful, such as numerical methods(also probably needs DiffEq) and cryptography.
Taking both DiffEq and LinAlg probably opens up a lot of nice paths, FWIW. Take both if you can.
@neodymium if at one point in the semesters I am taking not so terrible classes, then maybe i’ll consider adding Linear algebra to my schedule but for now im just going to get by with just differential equations since people are saying its much easier than linear algebra, so since it fills the requirement i’ll just take diff Eq.