I think this observation highlights the problem with Linear Algebra, the applications aren't encountered until upper level courses in other fields, and then the

I think this observation highlights the problem with Linear Algebra, the applications aren't encountered until upper level courses in other fields, and then they teach what you need to know for the course. I took two semesters of Linear Algebra in college, the first course was an overview for physicists and engineers and was little more than the mechanics of matrix operations, and find eigen vectors and eigen values. The second course focused on Linear Algebra as an abstract algebra, with near zero application. Subsequently, reading this paper[1] and the way the author used Linear Algebra blew my mind, why wasn't I taught about THAT kind of Linear Algebra? I suppose my examples illustrates: great teach Linear Algebra, but what facets to concentrate on? Abstract or concrete applications? [1] http://www.geometrictools.com/Documentation/IntersectionSphereCone.pdf http://www.geometrictools.com/Documentation/IntersectionSphe...