Applications of Linear Algebra | Summer 2024

Applications of Linear Algebra

Summer 2024

About the Course

This course explores applications of tools from linear algebra in combinatorics, geometry, algorithms, and graph theory. We will emphasize proofs and proof techniques. The goal is to use the applications as a backdrop to practice and review linear algebra skills, but also to develop a an understanding of new proof techniques and recognize how to apply them in new settings as well.

Target Audience

Logsitically, this course is a special summer offering meant for advanced students of the IITM online BS program in Data Science and undergraduate students of IIT Gandhinagar. Anyone with a background in linear algebra and an interest in the material is welcome to follow along.

Prerequisites

A little linear algerba won’t hurt. Try starting here if you have never encountered linear algebra concepts before:

1. The Linear Algebra course on Khan Academy
2. The 3blue1brown Playlist on the “Essence of Linear Algebra”
3. An interactive introduction from Brilliant.

References

We will closely follow Thirty-three Miniatures: Mathematical and Algorithmic Applications of Linear Algebra. Additional pointers to tangents and related material will be listed on the individual notes pages.

Materials

Class recordings and slides will be shared on this website as we go along. Notes will be made available on a best-effort basis.

Grading Policy

• The pre-requisite assignment does not contribute to the course grade.
• The assignments are worth 45% of the final grade (best 3 out of 4, 10% each).
• The course project is a visualization-based programming project worth 15% of the final grade.
• The midsem exam is worth 15% of the final grade.
• The endsem exam is worth 25% of the final grade.

Timings and Venue

• The lectures will be held between 4PM and 6PM on the indicated dates.
• The venue will be announced shortly.
• The course is hybrid, and students who are joining us remotely can attend classes in real-time over Zoom.
• The Zoom link will be shared over email with registered participants.
• The video recordings of the classes will be made available on this website as we go along.

Lectures

Assignments