Linear Algebra

Applications of linear algebra have grown rapidly since the introduction of the computer. Finding the inverse of a matrix, especially one that has hundreds or thousands of rows and columns, is a task easily performed by computer in a relatively short time. Virtually any problem that can be translated into the language of linear mathematics can be solved, provided a solution exists. Linear algebra is applied to problems in transportation and communication to route traffic and information; it is used in the fields of biology, sociology, and ecology to analyze and understand huge amounts of data; it is used daily by the business and economics community to maximize profits and optimize purchasing and manufacturing procedures; and it is vital to the understanding of physics, chemistry, and all types of engineering.