It's the diagonals trick. Linear algebra is full of little tricks based on the placement of things in the matrices in order to turn it into equations. Think of a matrix like a set of coordinates and linear algebra as a way to turn these extradimensional coordinates into a nice linear equation.
When you have variables, you are basically trying to end up with a standard algebra looking equation. Like a + 3 = b + 2. If you follow the rules of what to multiply against what and what to add, you end up with a more solvable relation than a giant ass matrix.
I will warn you it's always a LOT of writing and doodling. It's actually what made it my favorite math class.
I can see why he's using that kind of thing, because matrices make solving systems of equations much easier. If I knew the specific problem I might be able to help more, but yeah hopefully some of this helps? I know that I always needed a lot of examples to start off with to get what the hell was going on.
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Date: 2016-02-16 06:47 pm (UTC)From:When you have variables, you are basically trying to end up with a standard algebra looking equation. Like a + 3 = b + 2. If you follow the rules of what to multiply against what and what to add, you end up with a more solvable relation than a giant ass matrix.
I will warn you it's always a LOT of writing and doodling. It's actually what made it my favorite math class.
Some other examples that MAY help?
I can see why he's using that kind of thing, because matrices make solving systems of equations much easier. If I knew the specific problem I might be able to help more, but yeah hopefully some of this helps? I know that I always needed a lot of examples to start off with to get what the hell was going on.