|
|
The Stuyvesant High School Online Course Guide |
|
|
The Stuyvesant High School Online Course Guide |
Description of Linear Algebra
Linear algebra explores the unifying structure behind a wide variety of "linear problems" in mathematics, from simultaneous equations to differential equations, from resource allocation ("programming") to dynamical systems, from group theory to graph theory, and beyond. It accomplishes this seemingly miraculous unification by relating all of the aforementioned problems, and many others, to the intriguing geometry of n-dimensional space, which is studied by means of matrix algebra. In this course, we will investigate both the theory and the applications of linear algebra at an undergraduate collegiate level. Topics will include the Principal Axes Theorem, the Cayley-Hamilton Theorem, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization, the Jordan normal form, and more. The structure, level, and pace of the course will be modeled after a similar course given recently at Queens College. Some mathematical maturity is a must. Students are expected to be comfortable reading and writing formal proofs, and should already be familiar with the basic matrix operations. More importantly, the course is aimed at students who are serious about continuing their mathematics education in college. Linear algebra is one of the most important and widely applied areas of modern mathematics. It is a core requirement for every mathematics, physics, and computer science major. It is also a beautiful theory in its own right. Highly recommended for all future mathematicians, scientists, programmers, and engineers!Details and Pre-requisites
Students should have completed ME82 (Pre-Calculus) with a minimum grade of 85% and should also have an overall math average of at least 88%.
