Notebook 05-linear-algebra-fundamentals

[joeegitto22]

Having us write our own function codes that already exist in Python was extremely difficult and note really needed. In my opinion it was kind of pointless to re-write function codes that already exist (forward solve, backward solve, and lu_factorization function codes). This was very challenging and students were left to figure out the complex code without enough practice to write it.
I would definitely recommend providing more guidance if you are going to have students write function codes like that early on, or move it near the end of the semester so that students will have a better understanding of how to write code.

[dealmeidavf]

Thanks for the feedback. This is a central topic and I will elaborate on it for future versions of the course.

It is necessary that students learn basics of computational linear algebra. Using existing functions as black boxes does not enable learning. These black boxes will fail when you apply to real engineering problems and without a deeper understanding you will not be able to troubleshoot the problems.