I don't disagree that linear algebra isn't given enough emphasis. However, the first thing I thought of when I read this was something attributed to Richard Ha

I don't disagree that linear algebra isn't given enough emphasis. However, the first thing I thought of when I read this was something attributed to Richard Hamming, who is known for the transcript of his talk that pops up on here frequently, You and your Research [1]. I got this from a review of his book on Amazon [2]: > Hamming, in discussion, concluded his life thinking "the best tool to teach thinking was to teach the calculus." I'm just thinking here that Strang is saying Linear Algebra is more useful for _applying_, where Hamming would say Calculus is more useful for reasons that go beyond applications (not that it doesn't also have applications). [1] http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~robins/YouAndYourResearch.html http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~robins/YouAndYourResearch.html [2] http://www.amazon.com/review/RWPF0EL3E7GJZ/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=9056995014 http://www.amazon.com/review/RWPF0EL3E7GJZ/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm...