Can a 16 year old self-study linear algebra?

Question

I am a 16 year old high schooler who wants to selfstudy linear algebra. We have a very rigorous mathematics orientated school (currently for school doing diff calc and analytical geometry) and I want to know if self-studying LA would be possible for someone my age. I'm not a genius, in our mandatory IQ test I scored around 99,7% percentile, but nothing too extraordinary. What is needed for LA? Like what do I need to master before attempting LA?

Answer 1

I think LA is more difficult to understand. I self study calculus when I was 16. I found it makes more sense to me : )

Answer 2

You will definitely need your BRAIN to self-study LA, more so than anything else.

And some familiarity with mathematics like algebra and precalculus.

The answer, I believe, is Yes, You Can, given enough mathematical knowledge and intelligence.

Answer 3

Hell no, before you take linear algebra you need to take calculus 3 to become familiar with multivariate theory and vectors to understand linear algebra. You also need to take a college level mathematical proof class, as linear algebra requires you to do many proofs to test your understanding of many different theorems. Its not like your typical computational math class, it requires you to really have an in depth understanding of the theory and applications to fully understand the subject, and its certainly not easy to teach yourself, you need a college level professor to help clarify and convey the topics. If I were you i'd focus on the calculus in high school, and wait till college for the linear algebra.

Answer 4

You will need to have a strong understanding of solving systems of linear equations (including situations of having no solutions or infinitely many solutions), since this is the main focus of LA. Familiarity with matrix operations & inverses, determinants, and vector operations would help. Some familiarity with writing proofs would also help, since some LA courses involve proofs. Of course, your algebra skills would need to be excellent.



Topics in LA often include using matrices (Gaussian elimination) to solve systems of linear equations, determinants, matrix operations & inverses, linear independence/dependence for a set of vectors, the span of a set of vectors, basis for a vector space, subspaces of a vector space, dimension of a vector space or subspace, rank of a matrix, column space of a matrix, null space of a matrix, coordinates of a vector with respect to a given basis, eigenvalues & eigenvectors of matrices, and diagonalization of matrices.



Lord bless you in your mathematics studies!

Answer 5

u need to go for training in brazil to study on ur own. even i also went to brazil for training to study qm relativity string and etc on my own, no bragging and no bs, yeap.