<p>Is linear algebra hard? How does it compare to calc 1 and 2 in terms of difficulty?</p>
<p>There's a lot of overlap with Calculus 3 (analytic geometry) and a little with Differential Equations (eigenvalues), so it's easier if you take these classes together.</p>
<p>Linear algebra is (for most people's purposes) just doing crap with matrices. You can't really have an intuitive/visual picture of what's going on like in calc I and II, it's more just working with the numbers. On the plus side, you can just say that transposing a matrix twice clearly gives you back the same thing, instead of having to use the riesz representation theory for normed linear spaces to show the double-dual isomorphism.</p>
<p>it is very very very easy. way easier than Cal 1</p>
<p>A computational approach is very easy. But an abstract approach is not as trivial. Most schools have two (sometimes more) versions of the course. Most engineers take the computational approach, so it should be easy (easier than calc, yes).</p>
<p>If the person is asking about how it compares to calc I and II, I'm guessing they're a ways off from abstract linear algebra.</p>
<p>How hard is abstract linear algebra if you've already had a course in abstract algebra (i.e. group/ring theory)?</p>
<p>^^ Usually, LA is a prereq. to abstract. But if you handled abstract, abstract LA should be a breeze. You've probably discussed some LA topics in AA, so you definitely should have no problem.</p>
<p>My dad says it depends n the person. Like for him, Calculus was waaay easier than algebra in general.</p>
<p>Linear algebra 1 is a pretty easy course at most schools from what I've heard. It will definitely get harder if you take LA 2 or higher level math courses that rely heavily on the subject.</p>