Day 1, Mat225: Linear Algebra

Today:

Welcome!
- What is linear algebra? Fun and powerful!
- Announcements
  - Job opportunities (see me afterwards)
    - C++
    - Java
  - Departmental picnic: 9/18 (tentatively, Highland Park, Ft. Thomas, KY)
- Introductions (4x6 cards)
  1. Name
  2. Where are you from?
  3. Working? If so, where, and how many hours?
  4. Year (Sophomore, etc.)
  5. Major
  6. Why are you taking linear algebra?
  7. What is your math background/experience?
  8. What is your height (feet/inches)?
  9. Something special about yourself.
Some course details:
- The course website may be useful: http://www.nku.edu/~longa/classes/mat225
- You should do the reading in advance of our discussion of each section in class.
- Syllabus (logistics, etc.)
- The plan of attack
Questions?
A brief overview:
- Vectors - 2-d, 3-d, ..., n-d?!
  - manipulation and transformation (e.g. rotation, scaling, projection)
- Matrices
  - spreadsheets
  - images
  - linear transformations, e.g. averages
  - decompositions (statistical techniques)
- Software/technology
  - I'll be making (some) use of the TI-92
  - MATLAB will be available in the Lab in ST359. Open lab hours are posted on the door.

Next time: Section 1.1 (First assignment: pp. 11-13, #2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 23, 24, 30, 33)

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