How Can a Physics Student Self-Learn Linear Algebra?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on how a physics student can self-learn linear algebra, including recommendations for resources, textbooks, and foundational concepts. The scope includes both theoretical understanding and practical applications relevant to physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Homework-related, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the best approach and resources for self-learning linear algebra, expressing their background in mathematics and physics.
  • Another participant recommends MIT's open course on linear algebra, highlighting the video lectures by Professor Gilbert Strang as a good introductory resource.
  • Several foundational topics are suggested for study, including linear independence, vector basis, vector spaces, linear transformations, and determinants, which are noted as applicable to physics.
  • Textbook recommendations include Gilbert Strang's matrix theory text, Axler's "Linear Algebra Done Right," and Halmos' "Finite-Dimensional Vector Spaces."
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the initial poster's self-assessment as a capable mathematician without knowledge of linear algebra, suggesting that it is a fundamental area of study.
  • Multiple links to free online resources and textbooks are provided for further learning.
  • Clarification is made by the original poster regarding their self-assessment, indicating they learn new concepts quickly but do not consider themselves an expert.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of linear algebra for a physics student and provide various resources for learning. However, there is a disagreement regarding the implications of not knowing linear algebra, with some participants expressing a more critical view of the original poster's self-assessment.

Contextual Notes

Some responses include assumptions about the prerequisites for learning linear algebra and the varying levels of rigor in recommended resources, which may affect the learning experience.

Baggio
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Hi, I'm a physics student and I haven't taken any Linear algebra courses before and have only come across it in my Quantum physics classes. I'm a capable mathematician and was wondering if I were to teach my self what would be the best approach, and what textbooks you would recommend? Also what are the prerequisites?

Thank you very much.
 
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Check out MIT's open course website, or more specifically:
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Mathematics/18-06Linear-AlgebraFall2002/VideoLectures/index.htm

Those are great video lectures on linear algebra by prof. Gilbert Strang. I'm learning from them myself at the moment, bought the book also.

The content of the lectures is not that abstract, and really good as an introduction..and that's all it is really, an introduction. So if you like a more rigorous approach, I can't give you any advice. :shy:
 
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some points you may want to cover would be: linear independence, vector basis, and the definition of a vector space.

having learned these ideas, which are not very hard, linear transformations and determinants would be good, and these things are probably most applicable to physics.
 
Thank you very much.. I'll check out the video lectures too!
 
gilbert strang makes a good matrix theory text. other (slightly) more advanced books are axler's linear algebra done right & halmos' finite-dimensional vector spaces
 
sorry to be blunt, but if you do not know linear algebra, it is a bit optimistic to call yourself a capable mathematician, as that is pretty much the bottom rung on the math ladder.

since you have expressed a desire to elarn, here are some free book,s form which you can learn quite a lot: I especially recommend sharipov's book.

free books:

http://joshua.smcvt.edu/linearalgebra/

http://www.math.miami.edu/~ec/book/

http://mathforum.org/library/topics/linear/

http://dmoz.org/Science/Math/Publications/Online_Texts/

http://www.math.miami.edu/~ec/book/

http://www.math.uga.edu/~roy/
 
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Is that last one you, mathwonk?
 
mathwonk said:
sorry to be blunt, but if you do not know linear algebra, it is a bit optimistic to call yourself a capable mathematician, as that is pretty much the bottom rung on the math ladder.

since you have expressed a desire to elarn, here are some free book,s form which you can learn quite a lot: I especially recommend sharipov's book.

free books:

http://joshua.smcvt.edu/linearalgebra/

http://www.math.miami.edu/~ec/book/

http://mathforum.org/library/topics/linear/

http://dmoz.org/Science/Math/Publications/Online_Texts/

http://www.math.miami.edu/~ec/book/

http://www.math.uga.edu/~roy/

By capable, I meant I pick up new concepts quickly, I didn't mean that I'm an expert or anything :rolleyes: Thanks for the links they're really good.
 
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you are welcome; sorry for the smart*** comments accompanying.

I wish I were as young as the guy in the picture on that link.
 
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