Application of system of linear equations and Gauss-Jordan elimination to Environmental Science

Abstract

System of linear equation arise in various situations and Environmental Science is not an exceptions. This is also one of the first few topics that is covered in any standard linear algebra course. Thus this modulo can be implanted fairly early in the semester just after finishing Gauss-Jordan elimination methods are taught. By implementing this modulo not only students will be motivated to see a real environmental application of linear algebra but also connect theory with application early in the semester while typically application is usually taught toward the end or middle of the semester. Students will start with a warm-up example and will gradually be introduced the various parts of this modulo. Several types of questions are asked throughout this modulo which will guide the students to understand the concepts. At the end of the module, a project is provided as an expansion and extension of this modulo which can be assigned as a short project or as a classroom activity. As a byproduct of this project, student will learn the "Mathematica" software, a very user friendly computer algebra system (CAS).