Mastering Linear Algebra with Gilbert Strang

Pranab Sarma
2 min readJan 23, 2023

--

Image credit: Gilbert Strang, MIT OpenCourseWare, https://web.mit.edu/18.06/www/Strang.jpg

Linear algebra is a fundamental branch of mathematics that is widely used in many fields, including physics, engineering, computer science, and economics. Learning linear algebra can be challenging, but with the right resources, it can be a fascinating and rewarding experience. One of the most popular ways to learn linear algebra is through the textbook “Introduction to Linear Algebra” by Gilbert Strang, and his video lectures on YouTube.

Strang’s approach to teaching linear algebra is unique in that he emphasizes the geometric intuition behind the subject. He starts by introducing the concept of a vector and its properties, and then moves on to systems of linear equations, matrices, and determinants. He also covers more advanced topics such as eigenvalues and eigenvectors, orthogonality, and singular value decomposition. Throughout the book, Strang provides many examples and exercises to help students understand the material. He also includes a number of real-world applications, such as least squares, Fourier series, and differential equations, to show how linear algebra can be used in practice.

The YouTube playlist, called “Linear Algebra — Gilbert Strang” is available on MIT OpenCourseWare channel and it consists of more than 100 videos and covers the entire book. The lectures are well-organized and easy to follow, and they include both the theoretical concepts and the worked-out examples from the book. The video lectures are a great supplement to the textbook, as they provide a different perspective on the material and allow students to see the concepts being applied in real-time. They also include interactive demonstrations and visual aids to help students understand the material better.

In conclusion, “Introduction to Linear Algebra” by Gilbert Strang, along with his video lectures on YouTube is an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn the subject. The book’s geometric approach, clear writing, and numerous examples and exercises, along with the video lectures make it a great choice for students and independent learners alike. The link to the playlist is:

If you are looking to master linear algebra, I highly recommend checking out the book and video lectures by Gilbert Strang.

--

--

Pranab Sarma

I'm an Electronics Engineering grad passionate about Python and Data Science. I contribute to open-source projects and love sharing skills with the community.