\section{Linear Transformations} \definition{} A \textit{function} or \textit{map} $f$ from a set $A$ to a set $B$ is a rule that assigns an element of $B$ to each element of $A$. We write this as $f: A \to B$. \definition{} Let $V$ and $U$ be vector spaces, and let $f: V \to U$ be a map from $V$ to $U$. \\ We say $f$ is \textit{linear} if it satisfies the following for any $v \in V$, $u \in U$, $a \in \mathbb{R}$: \begin{itemize} \item $f(u + v) = f(u) + f(v)$ \item $f(au) = af(u)$ \end{itemize} In other words, $f$ is linear if it is \say{closed} under addition and scalar multiplication. \problem{} It is often convenient to combine the two conditions above into one. \\ Show that $f(au + v) = af(u) + f(v)$ iff $f$ is linear. \vfill \problem{} Is $f(x) = mx + b$ a linear map on $\mathbb{R}$? \vfill \problem{} In general, what does a linear map $\mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ look like? \vfill \problem{} Is the map ${median}(v): \mathbb{R}^3 \to \mathbb{R}$ linear? \\ \hint{$median([3, 5, 4]) = 4$, but you already knew that.} \vfill \pagebreak