What is...the symmetric algebra?

Goal.
Explaining basic concepts of linear algebra in an intuitive way.
This time.
What is...the symmetric algebra? Or: Polynomials in vector spaces.
Slides.
www.dtubbenhaue...
#linearalgebra
#algebra
#mathematics

[@pretty_bourgeois4572]

Wow this is super clear and helpful!

[@VisualMath]

Welcome!
In some sense, all you ever study in mathematics are polynomials, so the symmetric algebra is a very natural construction. When I first saw it I thought "WTF?". It was abstractly defined, which has advantages as well, of course. But "polynomials in vector spaces" is more down to earth, so I went with this description.