<p>What background should you have to take Math 33B? does 33A or linear algebra, play any role to prepare for 33B?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Yes, you should have basic knowledge of null space, Gaussian-Jordan elimination, linear independence, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, a little of SVD.</p>
<p>In my opinion, you don't need to take 33A before, but if you had, you will have an easier time understanding the theory behind solving linear systems in the second half of 33B.</p>
<p>In my opinion, 33B is easier to learn.</p>
<p>I took 33B before 33A and I thought it was fairly easy. It wasn't that hard to understand the topics but the people in the class did have an easier time learning it since they knew the methods and theory from 33A.</p>
<p>as a straight up EE major, is it wise to just skip to 33B since i passed out of all the math before it?</p>
<p>I think you can ask Citan. I think he's a EE.</p>
<p>Where did you pass out of linear algebra? As long as you have a solid foundation of Gram Schmidt, linear transformation in 3D (!!), eigenvectors & eigenvalues (!!), SVD then you will be okay.</p>
<p>If you know Laplace and Fourier, then you're ahead.</p>
<p>There are really challenging question that professors could ask on a 33A exam:
Try #1 here: <a href="http://www.math.ucla.edu/%7Eshlyakht/33a.1.07s/final-practice.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.math.ucla.edu/~shlyakht/33a.1.07s/final-practice.html</a>
Final exam: <a href="http://www.math.ucla.edu/%7Eshlyakht/33a.1.07s/final-exam-solutions.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.math.ucla.edu/~shlyakht/33a.1.07s/final-exam-solutions.pdf</a></p>
<p>If you're okay, then skip to 33B.</p>
<p>i took a college course equivalent to linear algebra. however, i took it two years ago and have forgotten a lot of it. that is why i am asking whether i could just skip it and go on to 33B. </p>
<p>however, you just said that you do not need 33A for 33B? and now you're saying that 33A is needed? im confused.</p>
<p>You don't NEED 33A for 33B. It is preferred. After all, what's the point of taking a class if you forget most of the material. I'm just saying 33B is not difficult and breezing through these math courses without remembering what you've learned is ... a waste.</p>
<p>You CAN just skip to 33B, but just review your old material. They will be used in later applications. Also on your multivaraible calculus (theory behind Stokes, Green, Divergence theorems) because I heard they will be used in your first EE courses.</p>
<p>Bottom line, you don't need 33A material to do well in 33B. You can get an A in 33B without fullying understanding the theory behind solving ODEs (since it's purely computational). If this sounds like you, then do it. Otherwise, spend some time learning the ideas from linear algebra.</p>
<p>You can sit in at a 33A class to see for yourself, it it's too easy for you.</p>