Day 1, Mat225: Linear Algebra

Today:

Welcome!
- What is linear algebra? Fun and powerful!
- Announcement
  - Departmental picnic: Saturday, 9/17 (venue to be announced...)
- 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:
- Linear equations: ax+b=y - no sweat, right?
- 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 (limited) use of the TI-92, but you'll be able to use it on the exams, so it's worth using.
  - MATLAB will be available: I'll be working out the details....

Next time: Section 1.1 (First assignment: pp. 11-13, #1, 4, 5, 10, 11, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 33)

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