4 ms·
Agree. When I took linear algebra I calculated plenty of eigenvalues/eigenvectors without having any idea what they actually were or why I was doing it. Then
by haberman 10y ago
Agree. When I took linear algebra I calculated plenty of eigenvalues/eigenvectors without having any idea what they actually were or why I was doing it. Then one day years later I saw the Mona Lisa examples on this page:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eigenvalues_and_eigenvectors https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eigenvalues_and_eigenvectors
I was simultaneously thrilled that these concepts actually had meaning and annoyed that no one explained this meaning to me at the time. Math is filled with definitions and proofs, but none of that has any point unless the result actually corresponds to something interesting!
(btw I don't have any experience of learning from common core, so I don't know if I would like it or not)
- ivan_ah 10y agoOn the topic of eigenvalues, this video is a very nice introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFDu9oVAE-g&index=14&list=PLZHQObOWTQDPD3MizzM2xVFitgF8hE_ab https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFDu9oVAE-g&index=14&list=PL... (the whole playlist kicks ass; highly recommended for anyone interested in "seeing" what linear algebra is all about)
- M_Grey 10y agoI'm like this too; I need a framework of meaning to fit the rote facts into, or they don't stick.
- seanp2k2 10y agoYep, same. I also independently discovered existing concepts which were way above what we were being taught which really lifted the veil on some things. I'm guessing that these concepts would have also been helpful for other kids to understand, or at least be aware of.