Which one of these math class is easier?

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BamBam215

Golden Member
Feb 17, 2000
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Number Theory - Dvisibility, congruences, number theoretic functions, Dophantine Equations, primitive roots, continued fractions.

Linear Algebra - An in-depth study of linear transformations, vector spaces, inner product spaces, quadratic forms, simliarity, and the rational and Jordaon canonical forms.


I have an option between the two and I want to take the easier one. I'm taking Introduction to Linear Algebra this semester and it's pretty easy but partly because the teacher is easy. So I'm not sure about the Linear Algebra option. I could really care less for what I'll learn in either class.
 
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FuzzyBee

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2000
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I tend to find it easier to visualize linear algebra, which makes it easier for me.

Just my $0.02
 
A

atom

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 1999
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Linear Algebra for me was easier than 1st year calculus...........
 
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rgwalt

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2000
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Why do you need to take one of these courses? What sort of work do you expect you'll do later in life? Personally, I think linear algebra is much easier, and will likely prove to be much more useful. I use linear algebra quite a bit as an engineer.

Ryan
 
A

Armitage

Banned
Feb 23, 2001
8,086
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Another vote for linear algebra ... I've never had a number theory class, but linear algebra was pretty easy. And useful!
 
D

Dudd

Platinum Member
Aug 3, 2001
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I'd avoid anything with the word theory in it. Then again, I'm not even in college yet and still stuck in Calc AB, so I really have nothing relevant to base this on.
 
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gopunk

Lifer
Jul 7, 2001
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Originally posted by: BamBam215
i guess the consensus is linear algebra. is there a lot of proofs?
Click to expand...

not a terribly large number of them iirc. maybe like 1 or 2 every hw, and they were fairly simple stuff. nothing complicated in that class.

i might take number theory this summer, i'll let you know how that goes :p
 
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Spac3d

Banned
Jul 3, 2001
6,651
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Linear algebra is the devil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am sure Number Theroy is a lot of fun too:(
 
C

cchen

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 1999
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Originally posted by: BamBam215
i guess the consensus is linear algebra. is there a lot of proofs?
Click to expand...

There usually AREn't any proofs. You'll probably be shown the proofs on how some equations were derived, but I doubt you'll have to prove them.
 
jman19

jman19

Lifer
Nov 3, 2000
11,225
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Originally posted by: gopunk
Originally posted by: BamBam215
i guess the consensus is linear algebra. is there a lot of proofs?
Click to expand...

not a terribly large number of them iirc. maybe like 1 or 2 every hw, and they were fairly simple stuff. nothing complicated in that class.

i might take number theory this summer, i'll let you know how that goes :p
Click to expand...


Hmm, I've had the opposite experience... 1 or 2 computational type questions, and 5 or 6 proofs per HW. You should find out what your future prof likes to lean towards before taking the class, BamBam.
 
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raptor13

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Having taken both classes, I can say that linear algebra is world's easier because it's much more applied than number theory (they aren't kidding when they say theory ;)). Linear algebra is extremely useful in all types of applications and the class itself is really easy to grasp, I thought.


Number theory sucks. After three weeks, I no longer knew how to divide. Plus, unless you ENJOY writing proofs <shudder> you'll hate it, too. That's my $.02.
 
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raptor13

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: gopunk
Originally posted by: BamBam215 i guess the consensus is linear algebra. is there a lot of proofs?
Click to expand...
not a terribly large number of them iirc. maybe like 1 or 2 every hw, and they were fairly simple stuff. nothing complicated in that class. i might take number theory this summer, i'll let you know how that goes :p
Click to expand...



Dear god. Unless you absolutely have to take number theory, don't. The people that teach classes like that are too smart for your own good. They spend five minutes going on about some intricacy of multiplication, how it implies that the sky is blue, it's Thursday, you're hungry, and that history will look kindly on the Post-It note.... and then say, "But that, of course, is obvious." Meanwhile, you have no idea what the hell is going on, you develop migraines, and you want to cry.



Save yourself and don't take number theory.
 
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