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Can you give a source for learning about "algorithms as matrix operations"? I tried searching on that phrase in Google Scholar but didn't get anything useful.

oscilloscope 15y ago
If you can express the code using the functions and operators of linear algebra, you can simply write the math and get fast, elegant code. May even run on a GPU. Fortran is frequently used for physics simulation. We used Mathematica, Maple and Matlab even in non-computing classes. See http://www.netlib.org/lapack/ http://www.netlib.org/lapack/ Also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Array_programming http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Array_programming
- billswift 15y ago
  Your first phrase captures what I assumed he meant, I was wondering if there is anything available that could help me recognize algorithms that could or should be expressed that way, and how to do it. Your Wikipedia link was helpful. I am working on a calculus refresher right now (I really need it) and am planning on working through an elementary linear algebra text once that is done, which is why I particularly noticed the comment. I have found that having an idea of applications helps retention, which is one reason I am trying to track down something more concrete.
  - aheilbut 15y ago
    Most of the textbooks on machine learning present things in that way (it's really the only way). For example, check out Elements of Statistical Learning (http://www-stat.stanford.edu/~tibs/ElemStatLearn/ http://www-stat.stanford.edu/~tibs/ElemStatLearn/).
jaylevitt 15y ago
If, like me, you thought "linear algebra" meant "stuff without exponents", you should start here: http://www-math.mit.edu/~gs/papers/starting2matrices.pdf http://www-math.mit.edu/~gs/papers/starting2matrices.pdf It's the most accessible starter I've found to date. There is also a linear algebra group-learning thread somewhere on HN.

oscilloscope 15y ago

If you can express the code using the functions and operators of linear algebra, you can simply write the math and get fast, elegant code. May even run on a GPU. Fortran is frequently used for physics simulation. We used Mathematica, Maple and Matlab even in non-computing classes. See http://www.netlib.org/lapack/ http://www.netlib.org/lapack/ Also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Array_programming http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Array_programming

billswift 15y ago
Your first phrase captures what I assumed he meant, I was wondering if there is anything available that could help me recognize algorithms that could or should be expressed that way, and how to do it. Your Wikipedia link was helpful. I am working on a calculus refresher right now (I really need it) and am planning on working through an elementary linear algebra text once that is done, which is why I particularly noticed the comment. I have found that having an idea of applications helps retention, which is one reason I am trying to track down something more concrete.
- aheilbut 15y ago
  Most of the textbooks on machine learning present things in that way (it's really the only way). For example, check out Elements of Statistical Learning (http://www-stat.stanford.edu/~tibs/ElemStatLearn/ http://www-stat.stanford.edu/~tibs/ElemStatLearn/).

jaylevitt 15y ago

If, like me, you thought "linear algebra" meant "stuff without exponents", you should start here: http://www-math.mit.edu/~gs/papers/starting2matrices.pdf http://www-math.mit.edu/~gs/papers/starting2matrices.pdf It's the most accessible starter I've found to date. There is also a linear algebra group-learning thread somewhere on HN.