Is Linear Algebra Hard? How Difficult is it?
Linear algebra is one of the critical fields of math that involves great practice, focus, and knowledge of the basics of math to learn easily. If you are planning to take linear algebra as your major, and cannot finalize it because you’re confused about whether it is hard or easy and whether you should go with it or not, we’ll help you understand that.
Well yes, linear algebra is considered hard and is referred to as one of the toughest subjects of math to understand. Lots of people find it challenging because it has several complicated concepts in it.
The guide here will tell you everything about linear algebra right from what exactly it is, why it is considered hard, and what you can do to make it easy. Make sure to read the following details with all of your attention so you know whether you should go with linear algebra in your advanced studies or not.
Is Linear Algebra Hard?
Yes, linear algebra is quite complex but is one of the major subjects of math. It is considered hard because it is not intuitive and creative. Instead, it focuses mainly on proofs.
Moreover, because its concepts are not visual and difficult to visualize, it becomes quite hard for the students to learn algebra like other theoretical subjects. And because it is an abstract subject, it is time-consuming and tough to learn. You need to practice a lot and try your best to put all of your attention and focus on understanding the concepts to learn them well.
What Is Linear Algebra?
Linear algebra is one of the most important courses in mathematics. It is a critical field that was formalized in the 1800 and the basic aim of the subject was to discover unknown things with the help of linear equations.
Linear Equations are the series of mathematical operations that you have to solve to find out unfound things. Linear algebra starts with a single equation and becomes complicated with time that is the reason why selecting linear algebra as your major becomes quite difficult to follow.
Why Is Linear Algebra Considered Hard?
Linear algebra is considered quite a hard subject to learn because of several reasons. Following is a list of some of the crucial reasons why linear algebra is one of the toughest subjects to learn.
Geometry
To learn linear algebra, you have to be good at geometry. Those students with a weak foundation in geometry find learning linear algebra quite difficult.
To learn advanced-level linear algebra you have to use the basics you have already studied in your previous classes. So you have to be good at geometry, vector representations, and trigonometry to study linear algebra easily, otherwise, it will become tough for you.
Matrices
Linear algebra also involves the basis of matrices that you have learned in your previous classes. You have to be good at that too.
Matrices are quite difficult to digest. You have to work a lot to understand mattresses as it becomes quite confusing because of the presence of lots of variables.
You have to be quite mature in math and should have an excellent knowledge of basic algebra to solve the complicated equations of linear algebra. Moreover, one single missing sign or wrong placement can make everything wrong so it becomes quite stressful to learn matrices as they are advanced in linear algebra.
Trigonometry And Polynomials
Moreover, before jumping onto linear algebra, you should also have solid basics of polynomials and trigonometry. Linear algebra makes you suffer because it involves complicated equations of trigonometry. You need to know them and make sure that you have a strong base of trigonometry and polynomials to minimize the hurdles that otherwise you have to face while learning linear algebra without the basics of polynomials and trigonometry.
Having Bad Teachers
Another big reason why linear algebra is considered tough is that you might have a bad professor. It is one of the most terrible things that can never happen to a math student.
If you have a bad professor who does not know how to convey the equations of linear algebra and how to solve complex equations efficiently so that the students can learn it, not only will it shake your confidence but also will create lots of mental damage. If you think your teacher is not skilled enough to guide you on the right way to learn linear algebra, you can always change your professor and can ask for help from other professors and other resources like the internet and books.
Bad Way of Studying
Moreover, linear algebra also becomes difficult and tougher if your way of study is bad. If you are not giving the subject enough time and not practicing a lot you cannot learn linear algebra easily.
Similarly, if you are not understanding your lectures well and are not spending your lecture hall time with key attention and focusing on what your professor is telling you, you cannot learn linear algebra. Well, you must have to devote more than 3 to 4 hours a day to learn linear algebra.
Make sure to work hard and spend your time in a better way with focus and practice so that you can learn linear algebra easily. Try to note down the lectures and understand them while you are in the hall, practice them at your home, repeat the practice, and then solve equations. You can learn linear algebra easily if you follow this routine.
How To Make Linear Algebra Easy To Learn?
To improve your linear algebra education and make it easy to learn, the following are the key points that you should take home to understand linear algebra in a better and quicker way.
Learn Real Life Applications
The first and foremost important thing is to understand the real-life application of linear algebra and where it is used. Make sure to focus on the need for algebra in real life so that you can learn the subject easily.
Take Notes
Make sure to write down the notes during the lecture. This is because note-taking not only increases your engagement but also doubles up your attention and is a good strategy to keep you focused and attentive. Make sure to note down what your professor is telling you, mainly the concepts, ideas, and formulas.
Ask Questions
Make sure to ask the questions from your teacher, if you have any queries in your mind. Your confusion should be clear beforehand to avoid more complications in the subject.
In case you do not ask about your confusion in the first step, you will not understand the second and third steps. So make sure to ask the questions and clear your confusion before moving to the next concept.
Other Learning Resources
You can also use other learning resources for example online help from different websites and can take help from there to learn linear algebra in a better way. Moreover, you also have the option of YouTube where you can watch video tutorials that are presented by professionals of math.
Study Groups
Furthermore, joining a study group or a group study is another nice option for you to make linear algebra easy and quick to understand. Study groups usually increase the enthusiasm level which ultimately helps in learning linear algebra easily and quickly.
Can You Learn Linear Algebra On Your Own?
Well, it’s not the best idea but yes you can to some extent. You can get help from internet resources and books to learn the basics of linear algebra. But keeping in mind the complexity of the subject, it is not the best solution for you.
You have to make sure to get enroll in a course or select linear algebra as your major subject in advanced-level studies. You should take help from professors, experts, and professionals in the field and should take their lectures to master the subject. Moreover, you can also consider self-studying resources like the Internet and books in addition to lectures.
Real-Life Applications of Linear Algebra
Learning becomes quite easy and better when you know the significance of a subject in real life. If you know where you will be using linear algebra in your life it will become easier for you.
Linear algebra is the base of modern physics, artificial intelligence, and information technology. There are several real-life applications of linear algebra that you should know beforehand to make studying linear algebra easy and quick.
- Linear algebra is used in machine learning with the use of artificial intelligence.
- It is used in creating algorithms for several search engines like Google.
- It is used to analyze, observe and calculate data for Aeronautics.
- Linear algebra is used in creating prediction levels for data.
- It helps in creating precise statistical data solutions.
- It is a natural language processor for several chat engines like text analysis, speech recognition, and ChatBots.
- Moreover, linear algebra is also used in atomic and subatomic studies to check the energy level in the smallest particles.
What level of math is linear algebra?
Linear algebra is quite challenging and is considered mid-level math. This is because linear algebra is not as simple as basic math and not as complex as modern stats, topology, or Abstract Algebra. Keeping in mind this, we can say that linear algebra is the mid-form of algebra, not very hard and not a piece of cake.
Is it worth taking linear algebra?
Yes, learning linear algebra is quite an advantage as it has many applications in engineering, research, aeronautics, and technology too. Learning advanced linear algebra helps in a positive contribution to many everyday life works.
Which is harder: linear algebra or calculus?
When comparing linear Algebra and calculus we concluded that calculus is comparatively harder than linear algebra but it depends upon the interest of the learner. Those students who find calculus tough explain that calculus is the next and comparatively more complex form of linear algebra. According to them, learning linear algebra before calculus makes calculus easy and understandable.
Mathematics is already a daunting task to learn as a student. And linear algebra is one of the advanced forms of mathematics. Well, it is somehow difficult but not as much as you think. If you have an interest in mathematics and have a strong base in mathematics, then you can easily perform linear algebraic calculations.
This above-mentioned article tells you about the details of whether linear algebra is hard or not and why students consider it hard. Moreover, to make it easier for you, you can use various algebra studying strategies as mentioned above and can add several learning resources to understand and learn algebra easily.