MATLAB for Math 18
Welcome to the gateway page for the MATLAB portion of Math 18! This part of the course is an introduction to the use of computer software to solve problems in linear algebra. These kinds of computations are valuable tools not only in pure mathematics but also in physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, economics, and sociology.
All of these fields deal with vast amounts of raw data that may be difficult or impossible to work with by hand. Computer programs like MATLAB help by performing tedious calculations error-free, so that you can avoid wasting all your time crunching numbers. It turns out that MATLAB is especially well suited for working with matrices and performing various algorithmic routines that come up in linear algebra.
You can use MATLAB for free once you create a MathWorks Account using your @ucsd.edu email address. Follow the steps in the link to create the MathWorks Account and install MATLAB. If you are using a Mac and your system is not up to date, older versions of MATLAB are sufficient for the MATLAB assignments. Click here to see how to install an older release.
If you don't have a computer, there is an option to request a loaner laptop here. MATLAB online works well if you use a Chromebook or you simply don't want to install MATLAB. You can use it for free once you create a MathWorks Account using your @ucsd.edu email address. If you don't have a computer but you have a tablet like an iPad, you can use MATLAB Mobile with a MathWorks Account. CloudLabs also works and instructions are here but it can be quite slow. Note that you need to connect via UCSD VPN to use CloudLabs.
In general, each assignment in this course is self-contained and can be completed without prior MATLAB experience, although some assignments depend on commands learned in earlier ones.
Assignments | 1. Introduction to MATLAB | Due at 11:59pm on Wednesday, April 17 PT |
2. Systems of Linear Equations | Due at 11:59pm on Wednesday, May 1 PT | |
3. Matrix Algebra | Due at 11:59pm on Wednesday, May 15 PT | |
4. Eigenvalues & Diagonalization | Due at 11:59pm on Wednesday, May 29 PT | |
5. Orthogonality & Least Squares (optional) | Due at 11:59pm on Wednesday, June 5 PT |
The due dates above are the standard dates for all Math 18 classes, but please note that your instructor may assign different dates, in which case his or her assigned dates take precedence. Please check your class's website to verify due dates.
MATLAB HW5 will NOT be covered in the final quiz. Your grade will be based on the best 4 out of 5 MATLAB assignments.
Homework should be uploaded to Gradescope by 11:59 pm (San Diego time) on the listed due dates. (See the instructions within Assignment 1 for more information.) Be careful to pace yourself with the rest of the course; if you see a midterm coming up near a MATLAB due date, it is to your advantage to do your homework early. Four random exercises will be graded each time.
MATLAB Tutoring
MATLAB tutors are available to provide help with MATLAB during Week 2-10; their scheduled hours are available in the upper left of this webpage. You may go to different tutors' tutoring hours via Zoom.
Please note that there are no regular MATLAB sections and the lab hours in webreg do not mean anything.
The MATLAB Quiz
During the last week of the quarter, you will have to take a MATLAB quiz.
- You will be tested on your ability to use rudimentary MATLAB commands to solve basic computational problems and on your understanding of topics covered in the lab assignments.
- The quiz will cover Assignments 1 through 4.
- You may make use of gradescope and the course websites but no other websites.
- The quiz is scheduled for one hour, although you most likely will not need the full amount of time.
- Open book and notes. But you may not disclose the exam problems to any other person during the quiz days. Any sign of disclosure will be reported immediately to the Academic Integrity Office.
- The quiz will be offered in Quizzes on Canvas. The problems are in the forms of multiple choices, numerical answers, etc. You don't need to write/scan anything.
Quiz Time
The MATLAB Final Quiz will be held
0:00 am PT on Wednesday, June 5 until 11:59 pm PT on Thursday, June 6 |
in "Quizzes" section on Canvas. |
You can take it whenever is convenient for you during the time period. The quiz starts the first time you access the quiz and ends after 60 minutes.
We do not offer make-up quizzes if you miss your quiz.
If you have any questions about the MATLAB quiz or the alternate quiz times, please email the Senior MATLAB TA.
Feedback
If you have any suggestions or comments about the lab assignments, we'd love to hear from you. Also, if you encounter any mistakes or broken links, let us know. Send an email to the Senior MATLAB TA. Please include in the email your class information like the lecture code or your instructor since there are usually multiple Math 18 or 20D sessions.Also, note that the MATLAB TA only coordinates the MATLAB part. You should ask your regular TAs questions about regular lecture material.
References
Books:
- Boyce, William E. and Richard C. DiPrima. Elementary
Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems. 8th ed.
Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005.
This is the textbook for most of the Math 20D course. - Kreysig, Erwin. Advanced Engineering Mathematics. 7th ed.
New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1993.
This book explains many of the applications of differential equations to science and engineering. - Stewart, James. Calculus - Early Transcendentals. 5th ed.
Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole, 2003.
This is also a textbook for Math 20D, covering the first few weeks of the course.
Web Sites:
- Wikipedia
An excellent resource for articles on mathematical topics. - The Millenium Problems
The Clay Mathematics Institute has offered a million dollar prize for the solution of a variety of open problems in mathematics. One such problem involves solving the Navier-Stokes equations, which are a set of differential equations. - MacTutor Archive
The MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive is a comprehensive reference for information about mathematicians and the history of mathematics. Biographies of mathematicians mentioned in these assignments are found on this site. - BCIT Math Applications
This site is a great resource for finding applications of math to the real world. - MathWorks
MathWorks is the creator of MATLAB. Product information and help can be found here. - UCSD Math
This is the home page for the UCSD Department of Mathematics. - UCSD ETS
This is the ETS (Educational Technology Services) home page, containing resources for computing at UCSD.
Acknowledgments
Faculty Coordinator | Professor Jiawang Nie |
Graduate Student Coordinator | Jiyoung Choi |
Recent Faculty Coordinators | Professor Li Professor Helton |
Previous Faculty Coordinators | Professor Bejenaru Professor Bunch Professor Driver Professor Eggers Professor Holst Professor Li |
Previous Graduate Student Coordinators |
Jay Cummings Liz Fenwick John Geller James Hall Dan Hoff Zilu Ma Derek Newland Håkan Nordgren Jacek Nowacki Sean Raleigh Alon Regev Timothy Swec Itai Maimon Xiaomeng Hu |
Last Modified: 22 Mar 2024