Are matrices tedious for everybody?

[Jand]

Are matrices tedious for everybody?

It's like arbitrary pattens of multiplication and tedious inversions.

You really want to slit your throat when faced with dividing a couple of 5x5 matrices .

 

[Deleted member 4993]

Are matrices tedious for everybody?

It's like arbitrary pattens of multiplication and tedious inversions.

You really want to slit your throat when faced with dividing a couple of 5x5 matrices .

Yes ... and that is why I use "technology" whenever I have to deal with more than4 X 4 matrix.

I use MS_Excel to do these tasks - of course there are many more softwares available.

 

[stapel]

Are matrices tedious for everybody?

Yes.

It's like arbitrary pattens of multiplication and tedious inversions.

No.

Matrices are very clever and extremely useful. It's just that the processes for doing matrices are a royal pain in the... um... keister.

When I last taught a linear-algebra course at university, I held up a graphing calculator in front of the class on the first day, and told people to beg, borrow, or steal one, if they didn't already have one. I explained that the processes were too error-prone and time-consuming; I could give longer tests covering more material if I allowed the use of "technology". The students were visibly relieved, especially those who had already taken (and failied) a non-technology class.

 

[HallsofIvy]

However, we should point out that it is NOT the matrices that are tedious- it is the problems that may involve thousands of equation in thousands of "unknowns". Matrices gives a way of organizing such problems to relieve the tedium.