Linear Algebra

<p>I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this but since most engineering majors take linear algebra or something equiv. i thought I might ask.</p>

<p>I want to take Linear Algebra over the JHU CTY program (online education). They have 2 options, 3 month and 6 months time for completion. The 6 month option would be less work submitted a week but it cost about $622 more. So, my question is, is Linear Algebra easily able to be completed in 3 months with prior calc knowledge (Up to calc bc)?</p>

<p>Any tips? thanks</p>

<p>My son has taken taken Calc and Lin Algebra. He hates Lin algebra, and is glad he can take Calc 3 this year. It is a little time intensive. He has also taken courses through CTY, and what I can tell you is that the assignment sneak up on you. If you can stretch it out, I would recommend the months to give you time for the other things you will need to do (especially if you area senior!)</p>

<p>3 months is fine.</p>

<p>You can do 3 months. Linear isn’t all too bad as long as you aren’t stuck with a professor that puts you through “proof” camp. I know linear algebra is very theory based but there is a mechanical side to it. I was lucky to take it with a professor who focused on actually solving linear algebra problems as opposed to proving every single theorem in the book and testing you on it from scratch. You don’t really need prior calculus knowledge, though very helpful since calc disciplines your mind to think analytically.</p>

<p>It also depends on what topics are on the syllabus.</p>

<p>A typical university linear algebra course would be a 10 week quarter course, a portion of a 15 week semester course (usually combined with differential equations), or a light (less credits / work than a normal course) 15 week semester course.</p>

<p>Note that if you take linear algebra but not differential equations and eventually go to a university that combines the two subjects into one course, you may have to take that course, partially repeating it (the linear algebra).</p>

<p>Note that there’s really two types of linear algebra in college.
The first is more concrete, dealing with matrices, system of equations, eigenvalues, determinants, etc. Less proof based, more numerical.</p>

<p>The second is more abstract and involves things like linear mappings and complex systems, along with lots of proofs. </p>

<p>The first type, which is usually what people refer to, is really easy and can be done in three months without problem by anyone advanced in high school or freshmen in college. It’s about the easiest type of college math. It’s made a joke by calculators/computers in terms of homework.</p>

<p>Linear algebra rules. If you become comfortable enough with the material in second type of class that marcdvl explains, you’ll start to see linear algebra pop up all over the place in the sciences and engineering. The first type of class that he explains still is useful and pretty good, but when I took that class, things didn’t make too much sense to me. A more abstract treatment in the second class actually put things in the proper perspective and made more sense to me.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone, it seems pretty easy from what everyone is saying. Does anyone know about multivariable calculus?</p>

<p>Hey, I’m a rising sophmore who’s taken up to Multi-Calc. I’m not financially in a place to learn Linear Algebra right now, but so far, my friends think it’s easy, so you should take it in 3 months.
Multivariable is very similar to AP Calc, but just more theorems.</p>