4 ms·
> This course [Strang] is apparently the holy grail course for Intro Linear Algebra. I haven't watched his lectures, but I TA'd a linear algebra course that us
by earthicus 8y ago
> This course [Strang] is apparently the holy grail course for Intro Linear Algebra.
I haven't watched his lectures, but I TA'd a linear algebra course that used his text book, and strongly disliked his presentation. I've heard that's a fairly common reaction actually - it's one of those love it or hate it books. I'm bringing it up because if you (or someone else reading this) turn out to be in the group that doesn't love it, you should not give up on loving linear algebra! You are definitely still allowed to have a different 'holy grail course'!
- muhneesh 8y agoAwesome input! Learning isn't linear (tee-hee...)
- the_clarence 8y agoGilbert Strang is probably the best teacher on videos, up there with Dan Boneh.
- selimthegrim 8y agoWhere’s the love for Lax?
- earthicus 8y agoPage after page of mathematical insights and delights! I've never had the opportunity to work through it systematically, but have frequently read excerpts and have never been let down. I would expect nothing less from a figure so great as Lax! It's worth pointing out in the context of this discussion that the book is, by the author's own design, not an introduction to linear algebra. It is a second course that Lax used to teach his advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students at the Courant Institute. For example, OP with a high school math background will surely be very puzzled by page two, when a linear space is defined as a field 'acting on' a group. Which is, i think, the 'right' way of thinking about the algebraic structure, in the sense that it greatly simplifies all the intricate moving parts of linear algebra. Anyhow, I second your recommendation!