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0 pointszifpanachr231y ago0 comments

strang's would be something that is entry level in terms of linear algebra.

I think they should clarify whether they want somebody that has passed a linear algebra class with high marks based on something like strangs' entry level book before...or are on the cutting edge of graduate level linear algebra research. It's not clear from the post and I suspect that might be an issue.

Give me a couple months and I could recite strangs entry level textbook. I passed that class with an A+. But I could not become a PhD level maths student with a linear algebra research focus in that amount of time.

There are multiple very different ways to interpret a requirement for being competent in linear algebra.

Knowing everything covered in strangs introduction to linear algebra is actually quite low on the potential list of requirements and could be self studied.

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AlotOfReading1y ago

If you need a specific specialist degree (like a PhD in linear algebra), then that's just the professional baseline knowledge I already mentioned.

When I last read Strang's, my course included a lot of spectral theory that was decidedly not introductory regardless of what the title says. Either way, the point is that most non-specialist practitioners don't need that. How often have you truly run into determinants mod N or stochastic matrices in real life?

It sounds like our linear algebra classes were somewhat different though. No one received an A in mine. I had one of 3-4 B's.

sudosysgen1y ago

Never ran into modular determinants IRL but stochastic matrices are pretty common in many jobs - that said honestly anyone that's actually good at linear algebra and dev work has some pretty good options in many fields so considering it as a baseline unremarkable requirement is uncalled for, I agree.

coliveira1y ago

> Give me a couple months and I could recite strangs

Yes, most people had LA classes during college. But would you take a couple of months to relearn something that would be used only to interview for one job that you have no idea you'll get? That's certainly a reason why few people want to interview there.

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