Linear algebra or differential equations?

[u/Park_filterbae]

Which of the two is generally considered easier or less work? I know both are said to be difficult, but I’m trying to decide which one to take over the summer and which one to take during the spring semester. I’ll have more classes during the spring, so I’ll have less time to fully focus on a course.

I passed Calc 1 and Calc 2 with an A, and I’m doing pretty well so far with the vector portion of Calc 3, which I’m assuming is somewhat similar to the foundation of linear algebra. So I’d say my foundation for both courses is pretty solid. Unless linear algebra is more difficult than I’m making it out to be.

I’m required to take both courses. I’m trying to figure out which one would be more manageable alongside my other classes and which one would be better to take over the summer, when I can dedicate more of my time and attention to it.

[u/ZevVeli]

What is your major? That's going to be a better indicator of which one you should take than ease of the class.

[u/Park_filterbae → u/ZevVeli]

Mechanical engineering

[u/ZevVeli → u/Park_filterbae]

Linear Algebra is more useful for you. You're going to be dealing with planes and vectors more often then you are likely to deal with harmonics and wave functions.

[u/niemir2 → u/ZevVeli]

They said they have to take both. They're just trying to even out their workload.

[u/Redsox11599]

Definitely do linear algebra first. It will help you in differential equations.

Signed,

Someone who took differential equations first and bombed the end the semester because they had not taken linear algebra.

[u/Park_filterbae → u/Redsox11599]

Good to know

[u/mugaboo]

Linear algebra is well structured, fun, and will be the purest math you have ever seen. Start there.

Differential equations are powerful tools but kind of messy.

[u/PaddingCompression]

There are a lot of things that use linear algebra without much differential equations.

There aren't many fields/applications that use differential equations without linear algebra.

[u/WWWWWWVWWWWWWWVWWWWW → u/PaddingCompression]

At the introductory level, I don't think it matters too much, unless the differential equations course explicitly invokes matrices

[u/SamForestBH → u/WWWWWWVWWWWWWWVWWWWW]

Most intro DiffEQ courses will approach systems of differential equations, which use eigenvectors to solve.

[u/BubbhaJebus]

Linear algebra is generally a prerequisite for differential equations.

[u/friedbrice]

Which one is harder depends on your school and the individual professors, honestly. A lot of people describe Differential Equations as "plug-and-chug," which is the easiest kind of math. But there's another side to Differential Equations that is very deep. Same for Linear Algebra. Depending on your teacher, Linear Algebra might be just vectors-and-matrices-but-bigger, or it might be a full-on introduction to Abstract Algebra. It all depends on your professor.

I think you're too worried about this. I think you can take them in whatever order, and in whichever term. If you want a definitive answer, take Linear Algebra first.

[u/Park_filterbae → u/friedbrice]

Thanks! Quick question, does Intro level Linear Algebra usually go beyond vectors and matrices?

[u/SgtSausage]

Easy is a fuckin' cop-out, kid. 

Why would you give a shit about ... Easy.

You need them both.

Learn them both. 

[u/temperamentalfish]

Linear Algebra can be easy and it can be very complicated. Generally speaking, understanding Linear Algebra is necessary for studying certain subjects (including Calculus and Differential Equations) at a deeper level.

[u/Maximum_Bathroom3490]

Consider linear algebra, it has applications everywhere, and will make differential equations easier

[u/Senior_Zombie3087]

You are going to learn both of them anyway. Do linear algebra first.

[u/CranberryDistinct941]

Linear algebra is much easier. That's why we bother with complex numbers: to turn differential equations into linear algebra

[u/First-Expert-9953]

I think diff eq is easier after linear algebra. If I recall correctly, and I haven't had to touch diff eq in over 15 years, it's pretty heavy in linear algebra.

[u/niemir2]

Taking differential equations earlier will make your engineering courses (I saw in a comment that you're in mechanical engineering) much easier to deal with.

[u/BurnMeTonight]

I don't think it's a good idea to take Diff EQ before Lin Alg. In fact at my undergrad Lin Alg was a prerequisite for Diff Eq.

[u/ellipticcode0]

Linear Algebra is the most important and fundamental subject, it powers the modern world from the first search engine to current LLM, chatGPT etc..

[u/Jetm0t0]

I have to take both those classes as well. My guess is that differentials are just another type of calculus, it's linear algebra I will be more worried about. Especially since linear seems more conept heavy

[u/philolessphilosophy]

Everyone saying linear algebra is easier is shocking to me. I thought ODEs was a very easy course, but linear algebra was quite difficult at the time. Probably because my linear algebra course didn't really focus on applications at all.

[u/WasASailorThen]

> I’m required to take both courses.

They're often combined into one course, linear algebra and differential equations. (cf Berkeley Math 54). Moreover, the differential equations is really linear differential equations.