Ah MatLab how I remember that one well especially for electrical engineering (signal processing, optical sensing + imaging). Matrices are what it is designed to do so if linear algebra is what you are pursuing then that can help. However, it is up to you which tool you wish to use. I have used Mathematica & it didn't sit well with me but that being said Octave or Maxima could also work for you however, I haven't personally used those tools.
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The Mind: the most powerful computational device known in the universe.
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