What is the best time to take Linear Algebra?

[Starlit_day]

Just wondering when people thought the best time to take linear algebra is. My college says after you have taken Multivariable Calc., but is it necessary to wait that long for a subject that seems to be pretty algebra based (i.e. doesn't need higher level calc. to do)?

 

[flyingpig]

In my college, all you need is Calc I to take it.

 

[mege]

I took Linear Algebra before Calc3.

In fact, I think my LA experience helped me with Calc3.

 

[zif.]

As soon as you meet the prereqs IMO.

I had to take a linear algebra course in my first year because I was in engineering at the time and it has been very useful in my physics classes.

The reason some schools put it after the calc progression is because it's usually the first time you're taking a math class that actually requires you to think abstractly and straight up memorize theorems.

All through high school math and calculus I was able to just look at examples and modify them to whatever problem I was doing. Calculus is really a very simple concept and the rest is just tricks for doing it.

In linear algebra, I actually had to sit there and read each section of the textbook a couple times until I understood what was even being asked.

 

[micromass]

I would personally take linear algebra before multivariate calculus. I took it concurrently in my time, so that also works!

The concepts in linear algebra are a great help to understand multivariate calculus. Thus knowing these concept already is a huge help!