Linear Algebra Sucks, help me cheat by finding a matrix program

[Perfection]

Not sure if this should be in OT or Computer Talk...

I'm sick of doing all these dang matrix problems in my homework sets. Find me a free program that will matrix operations so I don't have to waste my time doing things I already have had drilled firmly into my head.

 

[vbraun]

You could always write your own.

 

[Perfection]

Yeah, but after multiplying 5 zillion matrices, you learn the dang material and you're just wasting your time.

 

[Fetus4188]

I think he means write your own program.

 

[Perfection]

Yeah, but why make your own when someone else made something else?

Plus it's due tuesday.

 

[Sims2789]

www.ticalc.org should have one. What type of calculator do you have?

 

[Perfection]

Ya know, I never thought about my calculator. I bet my 89 has an inbuilt program.

 

[Eli]

Matlab. The solution to all your problems.

Mathematica is also nice, although I mainly use it to calculate infinite integrals.

 

[Perfection]

Matlab. The solution to all your problems.

Do you have a bajillion dollars? (Actually, I might actually go do that. But then I'd have to get off my butt and go to the computer lab)

 

[Milan's Warrior]

Yeah but Matlab is outrageuosly expensive (unless there is some student licencing that I don't know of).
Mathematica is very expensive too.

You can do matrix operations in Excel (or any other speardsheet). You still need to set up the operations but it does the multiplications, additions for you. That has the double advantage of saving you the tedious calculations, but still making sure that you get the step by step procedure.

Perfection, you point out an issue I used to have with high school: professors think we are all stupid and they make us do the same thing over and over and over again. They may waste one year making you make matrix multiplication or row echelon form; they should understand that some students get it the very first time and that making them make the same thing again and again just drives them crazy

 

[Eli]

Do you have a bajillion dollars?

eMule costs nothing.

 

[shortguy]

Yeah, simple matrix operations (multiplication, row reduction, etc.) in TI calculators are no sweat.

 

[Perfection]

You can do matrix operations in Excel (or any other speardsheet). You still need to set up the operations but it does the multiplications, additions for you. That has the double advantage of saving you the tedious calculations, but still making sure that you get the step by step procedure.

How? Can it do inverses and cofactor matrices.

Perfection, you point out an issue I used to have with high school: professors think we are all stupid and they make us do the same thing over and over and over again. They may waste one year making you make matrix multiplication or row echelon form;

Ugh, I am so sick of doing row-echelon. It's a tedious pain in the butt!

they should understand that some students get it the very first time and that making them make the same thing again and again just drives them crazy

Yeah, I thought university would change that, but no!

Though my physics class is hardcore wicked (though there is way to much unit conversion needed)

 

[Perfection]

eMule costs nothing.

eMule?

Yeah, simple matrix operations (multiplication, row reduction, etc.) in TI calculators are no sweat.

Yeah, I suppose I could try that (though not now, I'm at home, the calculator and manual are in my dorm room), still a computer would be easier and nicer (I grow weary of using the TI89, the buttons and screen are too small and it's hard to read in low light)

 

[Milan's Warrior]

How? Can it do inverses and cofactor matrices.

Ugh, I am so sick of doing row-echelon. It's a tedious pain in the butt!


Yeah, I thought university would change that, but no!

Though my physics class is hardcore wicked (though there is way to much unit conversion needed)

Excell does inverse matrices;
I am not sure that it is preprogrammed for cofactor matrices, but if know how to do them by hand it is easy to set up Excel to do automatically

Yeah, I thought university would change that, but no!

I think that keep on repeating repeating and repeating in college is crazy; a waste of people's talents

 

[Chieftess]

Yeah but Matlab is outrageuosly expensive (unless there is some student licencing that I don't know of).
Mathematica is very expensive too.

I've used those two programs in college. (maybe not mathematica, but I've seen it). Although, in my entire schooling, we never did matrices. Never...

 

[Perfection]

Excell does inverse matrices;
I am not sure that it is preprogrammed for cofactor matrices, but if know how to do them by hand it is easy to set up Excel to do automatically

So how do I do it?

 

[Milan's Warrior]

So how do I do it?

Well, if you have never used excel it will sound offlandish

You type in the matrix; go somewhere else in the spreadsheet, type =minverse()
after having opened the parentesis and before closing it you have to select the cells in which the matrix is written; press F4 to fix the selection; close the parenthesis; then press CTRL+SHFT+RETURN to denote the fact that it is an array formula.

As far as cofactor matrices I don't think I can help you because I am not sure what they correspond to in italian; and I am not sure that I would remember the formula even if I remembered what it is;
you can certainly try to google cofactor excel, you might be lucky

 

[Milan's Warrior]

I've used those two programs in college. (maybe not mathematica, but I've seen it). Although, in my entire schooling, we never did matrices. Never...

Yeah, but universities have site licences; I think Perfection wants something for home;
I paid to get my student licence of Stata because I used it a lot; but I would not pay those figures just to have a way to invert matrices

 

[Eli]

Download them. Or even better, find someone who already did and borrow the CD.