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* In your favorite programming language, make a program to construct a real symmetric $NxN$ matrix. Diagonalize it using the appropriate LAPACK or GSL routine, and write out some number of the lowest eigenvalues. (Suggestion: You might find it useful to use Mathematica (available on the ECT* computers) to diagonalize a small matrix that you can benchmark against.) This will help you test that you've linked to the GSL or LAPACK library.
* Use your simple program as an opportunity to play with Git. Try out some of the commands covered in Morten or Nicolas's lecture slides computing.pdf talentdftguides.pdf