Prologue: Heralding the Beginning [Linear Algebra I Studied #1]

These posts are from way back — winter break of ‘14 going into ‘15 — when I was about to start quantum mechanics in spring and was scrambling around hunting for a decent linear algebra course to prep with.

I was this close to just enrolling in some generic linear algebra class on one of those transfer-exam math sites??? when I stumbled onto a platform called https://educast.pro/. The lectures were dirt cheap, so I figured — eh, nothing to lose. Worst case I drop it and try something else.

But wow… seriously,,,, this is the kind of thing where if I don’t write it down, I’m the one losing out?????

It’s not a big-name professional instructor giving the lectures, so yeah — there’s juuust a tiiiny bit of a stumbling-here-and-there vibe. But while I was listening, I genuinely had this thought: “ohhh, so this is what real scholarship looks like.”

What I mean is — usually when you study something, there’s a purpose attached, right? If it’s for the transfer exam, it’s for the transfer exam. If it’s for the college entrance exam, it’s for that. Or, you know… for getting a job, it’s for getting a job.

But me? I actually wanted to study study. When I’m working a problem, I don’t want “this showed up on last year’s exam so it’s important.” I want “this problem matters because of what it means.”

And that’s exactly — exactly ~~~~~ — the energy this guy brings. Honestly, the instructor is just lavishly wasting his talent on a platform this small.

I’m gonna actually buckle down and study this properly. And keep a record as I go.

One thing I’m sure of: loading up on basic linear algebra before touching quantum mechanics is important. The linear algebra chapter inside “mathematical physics” is definitely not enough. You need more than that. (I got an A+ in mathematical physics. Still — I think self-studying linear algebra is gonna be necessary.)

When Heisenberg was working out quantum mechanics, turning every operation into matrices and watching the mysteries fall into place one by one, he supposedly wrote his daughter a letter that said something like:

“Daughter, it seems your father has accomplished something as great as Newton.”

So — the framework of quantum mechanics is matrices. So linear algebra matters.

Alright then.

let’s gooooo

https://educast.pro/

Seriously, I really hope you go listen to these lectures.

The best. THE BEST!!!

Originally written in Korean on my Naver blog (2016-01). Translated to English for gdpark.blog.

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