Linear Algebra....how I hate thee

[rko618]

I am currently retaking Linear Algebra at my University and after the midterm...am currently on course to fail it a second time. Linear Algebra is one of the required math classes that all CS majors must take for their degree. Anyways I can't help but think this is a sign that I am doomed to be a mediocre programmer. Did anyone else have trouble with Linear algebra? Does anyone use what they learned in Linear Algebra with their programming? I know its mostly applicable to graphics programming but where else?

[russell.h]

Its graphics related, but linear algebra is great for physics type stuff. Collision detection and whatnot.

Edit: Check out http://joshua.smcvt.edu/linearalgebra/

Its a free linear algebra "textbook" that I am currently teaching myself from. I find it quite well done, and maybe it will explain things in a way that makes more sense to you than whatever you are currently using.

[SaddisticTwist]

HA! I am was just about to study for my mathematics exam, SAME SUBJECT!!! ahhhhh.

But i'm taking Gaming technology, not Computer Science. So, there's one benefit of Linear Algebra.

But you shouldnt really have to much trouble with it, they taught the stuff in high school. But, it does get quite confusing from time to time. Anyways wish you luck!

Maybe we can trade note's or something. Give me a PM, if anything of the sort comes up in mind.

Edit: Forgot - exams tomorrow. Crunch time. Yes. Yes.....

[azazel00]

Dont sweat it man. I suck at math and Im a pretty decent programmer.

Im currently taking the same course, but I find it a bit easier than Calculus. Then again, I took Calculus 2 four times. Shame on me.

Regards,
az

[phossal]

Linear what? I had a difficult time learning Algebra early on, but I found myself more inspired after college when I found practical uses for it - not for programming, but finance. I went on to teach myself Calculus. Whether or not you use it, though, is not the issue. The issue is whether you can choke down enough of it, like spinach, to pass and graduate. Going to, and graduating from, college is not for the kind of practical people who ask questions or think about the utility of what they're doing. Just do what you're told. Pay your dues (literally). Graduate, so you can move on to more of the same.

[dwblas]

I got out of my first semester of Calculus with a "D", and 5 more semesters to go. That wasn't good so I started looking in the library at other calculus books. It turned out that something that was very confusing in one book was relatively easy to understand in another. I think I wound up with something like 10 calculus books in the end. The moral to the story is that if you aren't just plain stupid, the problem is the professor or book. Change both if you have any further linear algebra classes to take. You can only go up from here.

[hod139]

Anyways I can't help but think this is a sign that I am doomed to be a mediocre programmer.

Linear algebra is orthogonal to your programming abilities, unless you are only solving linear algebra related problems.

Did anyone else have trouble with Linear algebra?

Linear algebra is probably your first exposure to more advanced mathematical concepts and requires you to start thinking more abstractly. It is a difficult topic, but one of the more applicable math courses you will find. A lot of people have trouble with this topic.

Does anyone use what they learned in Linear Algebra with their programming? I know its mostly applicable to graphics programming but where else?

I use it all the time, but of course my research is in accurate simulation of physical systems. Linear algebra is used heavily in graphics and physics. More and more games are requiring physical "believability", so if you are interested in game programming this will help out too. Natural sciences use linear algebra all the time too, since non-linear systems are more difficult to analyze most people simplify problems to linear approximations.

But you shouldnt really have to much trouble with it, they taught the stuff in high school

They didn't teach linear algebra in my high school. It is usually taught after calculus and is where you learn about vector spaces, matrix properties (eigenvalues, rank, condition, etc), and linear transformations. You must of went to an advanced high school.

[theorem_hunter]

im also taking linear algebra & not enjoying my self... i have a discrete maths test tomoro next semester i do abstract algebra. good 2 know im not the only 1 suffering

[hod139]

next semester i do abstract algebra.

Abstract algebra is hard and has no real use (pure mathematics at its finest). Are you a computer science major or math major? If the former, is abstract algebra really a requirement? If the latter, have fun learning about groups, rings, and fields.

[pmasiar]

Linear Algebra is one of the required math classes that all CS majors must take for their degree. Anyways I can't help but think this is a sign that I am doomed to be a mediocre programmer. Did anyone else have trouble with Linear algebra? Does anyone use what they learned in Linear Algebra with their programming? I know its mostly applicable to graphics programming but where else?

We had similar discussion in thread so is programming pretty much math?? less than a week ago.

Big part of programming is is being detail-oriented, accurate. Algebra is good training for it IMHO. Another important part is being able to learn enough from whatever area you happen to program, to be able to solve problems for your users. That's why they need you - and often programmers are not willing to learn, and users better learn some programming (which is not that hard after all - it is mostly logic) and solve problems for themselves, without bothering lordly programmers. And yes, they will solve it NOT in C++: they will use Perl or Python instead.

So you better wake up soon. Not all programmers code MMORPG games - and those who do, are often paid peanuts, because many college kids will go in and work for peanuts to program games, instead of solving tough real-world problems, where the real money are.