u/iMagZz

Hey all.

I think one big part that is really holding me back in physics is my understanding of linear algebra. Last spring I had a semester where we followed the math people and were in their linear algebra class. I managed to pass, but I got the lowest passable grade, and most of what little I knew I feel like I have forgotten, and I think it is holding me back significantly.

We are coming up on the summer vacation, and I would like to catch back up with linear algebra and hopefully get a better understanding this time around. For that reason I am looking for recommendations on how best to do this. I have looked around a little and looked through old posts, but there are so many possibilities. Except for calculus classes I haven't taken any extra math as I focused on physics, and my education doesn't allow a lot of free choices. This means I haven't had any analysis or algebra math classes, so I would love to learn linear algebra in a way that isn't too math technical or proof heavy if possible.

Hopefully what I am asking makes sense. I have written what I have found below and would love some more insight and advice from people who are much smarter than me :-)

• Linear Algebra Done Wrong, by Sergei Treil - Don't know much about it, but I have seen it recommended before.
• Linear Algebra Done Right, by Sheldon Axler - I actually own this one because when I was buying other books from someone, they had this really cheap, but I have come to learn that it might be too analytical? And also I think it doesn't have a solution manual?
• Linear Algebra - As an Introduction to Abstract Mathematics, by Lankham, Nachtergaele and Schilling - An online textbook I have seen recommended. Worried it might be too technical and "mathematical" too though.
• A First Course in Linear Algebra, by Robert A. Beezer.
• Linear Algebra and Its Applications, by Gilbert Stang - Apparently there seems to be really divided opinions on this?
• Linear Algebra, by Jim Hefferon - Also an online course/book.
• MIT OCW - 18.06 | Spring 2010.
• MIT OCW - 18.06SC | Fall 2011.

Thank you in advance!

Hey all.

I think one big part that is really holding me back in physics is my understanding of linear algebra. Last spring I had a semester where we followed the math people and were in their linear algebra class. I managed to pass, but I got the lowest passable grade, and most of what little I knew I feel like I have forgotten, and I think it is holding me back significantly.

We are coming up on the summer vacation, and I would like to catch back up with linear algebra and hopefully get a better understanding this time around. For that reason I am looking for recommendations on how best to do this. I have looked around a little and looked through old posts, but there are so many possibilities. Except for calculus classes I haven't taken any extra math as I focused on physics, and my education doesn't allow a lot of free choices. This means I haven't had any analysis or algebra math classes, so I would love to learn linear algebra in a way that isn't too math technical or proof heavy if possible.

Hopefully what I am asking makes sense. I have written what I have found below and would love some more insight and advice from people who are much smarter than me :-)

• Linear Algebra Done Wrong, by Sergei Treil - Don't know much about it, but I have seen it recommended before.
• Linear Algebra Done Right, by Sheldon Axler - I actually own this one because when I was buying other books from someone, they had this really cheap, but I have come to learn that it might be too analytical? And also I think it doesn't have a solution manual?
• Linear Algebra - As an Introduction to Abstract Mathematics, by Lankham, Nachtergaele and Schilling - An online textbook I have seen recommended. Worried it might be too technical and "mathematical" too though.
• A First Course in Linear Algebra, by Robert A. Beezer.
• Linear Algebra and Its Applications, by Gilbert Stang - Apparently there seems to be really divided opinions on this?
• Linear Algebra, by Jim Hefferon - Also an online course/book.
• MIT OCW - 18.06 | Spring 2010.
• MIT OCW - 18.06SC | Fall 2011.

Thank you in advance!