Here's a great online article describing how to use the Markov chain approach we used to figuring out Monopoly to Google's PageRank algorithm.  Had this been available two months ago, I would have required you to read it!

A new algorithm has been developed that would allow quantum computers (hypothetical computers that work with data by manipulating atoms and such) to solve systems of linear equations involving trillions of variables.  Yeah, trillions.

I just had to share this.  New research shows that in case of mass zombie attack, you're best bet is to hide out in a shopping mall like in the movie Dawn of the Dead.  That research relies on a mathematical concept called a "random walk," which is exactly the same concept at play in the population modeling we saw in Section 1.10 and in the meerkat problem in your last problem set.

Who said linear algebra isn't useful?

Way back when I was a graduate student here, I helped start a series of math talks for undergrads.  The series is still running.  The first talk is this coming Tuesday, September 29th, from 7 to 8 p.m. in SC 1206 (which happens to also be our classroom).  The talk is by Justin Fitzpatrick, a math grad student, and it's on the topic of Pascal's Triangle.  It should be a great introduction to some fundamental counting ideas (permutations, combinations, and so on).  Also--free pizza!

For more info on the series as well as a list of upcoming talks (most Tuesdays, 7-8 p.m., in SC 1206), check out the series Web page.  Those of you considering minoring or majoring in math will certainly enjoy these talks.

Here's a nice list of 25 tips for students using Wolfram|Alpha in math and other courses.  Let me know if you find any of these useful to you.

Here are a couple of the Wolfram|Alpha commands I used today:

• 4x-3y=6, 2x+y=5, 6x-7y=7 - This one plots three lines on the same graph, showing their common point of intersect.  W|A also returns the solution to this system of linear equations.
• matrixform[rowreduce[{{4,-3,6},{2,1,5},{6,-7,7}}]] - This one row reduces the augmented matrix association with the same system of linear equations.

And here's the Wolfram Demonstrations Project page for the "Planes, Solutions, and Gaussian Elimination of a 3x3 Linear System" Mathematica demo I showed you today.  You can play it with Mathematica (if you have that software--and all engineering students can get it for free) or with the free Mathematica Player software.

Finally, here are the clicker questions from Sections 1.2 and 1.3 we discussed today.