Differential Equations or Linear Algebra?

[Kidphysics]

What to take first? Much help would be appreciated: Just took calc 1 and discrete mathematics.

 

[hadsed]

You should definitely take Calc. II so that you'll be able to do the integration required in ODE (ordinary diff. eq.). Linear algebra doesn't rely on these topics so you might want to take that.

 

[Kidphysics]

Oh for sure.. I'm planning on all the calcs.. I knew differential equations had a connection to ideas of calculus. Should I take Linear Algebra with matrix theory?

 

[pergradus]

DiffEQ IS calculus.

You can take linearalgebra without calc II, and it would do you good for difeQ as well. (some ideas come into play when solving systems of linear differential equations)

Are you a math major? Even if not, taking calc II and linear algebra together would be a good choice IMO.

don't take differential equations till you've mastered integration - you'll be doing tons of it.

 

[Kidphysics]

DiffEQ IS calculus.

You can take linearalgebra without calc II, and it would do you good for difeQ as well. (some ideas come into play when solving systems of linear differential equations)

Are you a math major? Even if not, taking calc II and linear algebra together would be a good choice IMO.

don't take differential equations till you've mastered integration - you'll be doing tons of it.

Hmm I'll be taking calc 2 and modern algebra... so calc 3 with linear equations? Math is my minor yes.

 

[dalcde]

I think that Linear Algebra is more preferable than Differential Equation. The problem I have with DE is that all you get is a toolkit for solving the equations. If the problem you get is not the types you have learned to solve, you just can't solve it. It isn't like simple high school geometry where you can solve the problem no matter how complex it is if you have got the right mindset.

Linear algebra is fun if you have got a good teacher.

Frankly speaking, if you are really interested and not taking the course just for the degree, I would advice you to take other courses if available because Sal Khan also teaches both of them and posted the videos http://www.khanacademy.org/" for free, and his teaching is interesting and great. He is a great teacher!

 

[AlephZero]

If your DE course is more than a cookbook for solving some standard types of equations, the math will use the concepts from linear algebra, so take that first.

 

[Chunkysalsa]

Yea take Calc2 and Linear Algebra before Diff EQ. I just took Diff Eq and linear algebra makes its appearance in every single chapter. I have taken LA yet so you can succeed easily in Diff Eq but your understanding of the subject will be much greater if you take LA first.

You need to know Calculus to do any of the computations though. Integration is used a lot to solve many equations.