2008-11-16 part1

We began with a consideration of the matrix-vector product. I showed that the matrix-vector product y = A*x can be interpreted as a linear combination of the columns of matrix A. From there we quickly looked at the implications for solving linear systems of equations. If A*x = b has a solution, then b must lie in the column space of A. Next I passed out a single sheet of paper with a homework problem from last year. The goal of the assignment was to formulate a two-dimensional interpolant for the enthalpy of steam as a function of pressure and temperature.