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Comment by BFay | Hacker News Reader

Do you have any recommendations for a good linear algebra course/book? I've studied some DSP coming from a pretty limited math background (High School + 2 years college calculus) Linear algebra is one of many topics that's kept me from digging into advanced material.

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This is what was recommended to me:

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-06sc-linear-algebr...

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-06-linear-algebra-...

There's a free edX class called LAFF that is about to start that people really like. Also Google "Gilbert Strang Linear Algebra" to see full recorded videos of a highly-regarded teacher and course. And while you're doing those, Khan Academy has some very nice videos on pretty much all basic elements of LA that you can use to review / preview / un-confuse.

Learn linear algebra while writing a linear algebra library using the latest techniques (starts at the end of this month): https://www.edx.org/course/linear-algebra-foundations-fronti... I think there's also a non-mooc version at http://www.ulaff.net/

Unfortunately, I had to give up on the course last year because my math background is even more limited than yours (you'll need to know how to construct proofs). So time for me to learn calc, I guess. :)

I don't believe Calculus is a prerequisite to Linear Algebra. Constructing proofs is something that's used in all branches of math as far as I know. If proofs are the only thing stopping you then I'd recommend just trying your hand at a few to get the hang of them. I can't imagine they'd be taught in a Calculus course either.

Oh, I realize Calculus isn't a necessary prereq to linear algebra. But my impression is that people normally learn proofs alongside Calc than learn proofs alongside Linear Algebra. To be honest, I was writing more out of a desire to be humorous than accurate; sorry!

Anyways, I've picked up "The Haskell Road to Logic, Maths, and Programming," so hopefully I can learn proofs alongside programming and logic, which is probably the best route for me at this time.

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