Help with Mathematical Problems:

• Section:  Ask questions in section --- that's one of the main reasons sections exist.
• Office Hours:  Professor and TA office hours exist so students can get help.
• OASIS:  Arturo Ruvalcaba  Tues & Thur 12-1:50 and  Dante Bryson Mon & Wed 1-2:50.
  You can sign up at OASIS on the third floor of Center Hall.
• Classmates:  Sometimes a classmate can help. Sometimes you can learn by working things out together.

Help if Personal Problems Affect Work:  Talk to the professor or, if appropriate, your college provost.

Linear algebra is a collection of ideas and methods related to linear equations.  It is an important tool in mathematics and statistics and in many areas of science and engineering.  In some areas, linear algebra is more important than calculus and, in others, it is intertwined with calculus.
     It seems to be a fact of life that widespread application requires abstraction in mathematics (even "number" is an abstraction---"things" exist but numbers don't) and science (compare modern physics with physics in the time of Kepler and Galileo).  Linear algebra is no exception: Its concepts and methods are rather abstract.  This requires you learn the language involved.  Making flash cards is often helpful.  You will probably find that over half the battle with most 20F problems is understanding what is being asked.  (See definitions.  Because of the new concepts, this course moves at a faster pace the calculus courses.
     To really understand tools, we must use them to work problems.  All but the smallest linear algebra problems require considerable calculation.  Thus, computers are an essential adjunct to linear algebra.  In fact, the widespread use of linear algebra is due in considerable part to existence of computers.

UNDERSTANDING:
Q: I can't seem to grasp the new concepts.  What can I do?
A: I assume you're attending lectures, reading the text, trying to do the homework and taking advantage of office hours.  Perhaps some advice on reading mathematics and, in particular, definitions would help.  Flash cards may help.
Q: I know the concepts but can't do the homework.  What can I do?
A: Students are often led to confuse memorization with understanding.  You have probably been taken in by this con.  Some advice can be found in the webpage about mathematics.

HOMEWORK: Due in section.  Lecture and computer lab homework should be handed in separately.
Q: Can I discuss homework with other people?
A: If you do not understand a concept in a problem you should definitely get help in understanding it.  As far as help on working a specific problem, see the guidelines on academic integrity.
Q: What if I have to miss my section someday?
A: Either have a friend hand in your homework or make arrangements with your TA to hand it in at another time.
Q: What if I miss a homework assignment?
A: The lowest homework will be dropped.
Q: I think a homework problem was graded unfairly, what should I do?
A: You can take it to your TA, but remember that each assignment is only a small part of your grade so a small change on one assignment won't matter.

GRADING: Percentages are given in the table above.
Q: I did poorly on the ____ "hour" exam, but I did well on everything else. Does this mess up my grade?
A: Probably not.  When I assign course grades, I try to take into account the fact that someone may have had a bad day on ONE of the two "hour" exams.
Q: I know how to do this type of problem, I just {misread it}/{made an algebra error}/{forgot a concept}/{et cetera} shouldn't I get more credit?
A: Probably not.