Vectors and Functions and Operators

Abstract

This chapter introduces – briefly – vectors and functions and the similarities between them, some basic linear algebra concepts, operators (including the del and Laplace operators), eigenvalues and eigenvectors &eigenfunctions, the scalar (dot) and vector (cross) product between two vectors, the scalar product between two functions, the concepts of normalization, orthogonality, and orthonormality. The concept of an operator is first introduced by considering the rotation and stretching or compression of a vector. It is then generalized to a mathematical prescription that changes a function into another function.