(Linear Systems)
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Where <math>a \!</math> and <math>b\!</math> are real or complex.  The system is defined as linear if <math>z(t)=w(t)\!</math>
 
Where <math>a \!</math> and <math>b\!</math> are real or complex.  The system is defined as linear if <math>z(t)=w(t)\!</math>
 +
<br>
 +
In other words, if in one scenario we have two signals put into a system, multiplied by a variable, then summed together, the output should equal the output of a second scenario where the signals are multiplied by a variable, summed together, then put through the same system.  If this is true, then the system is defined as linear.

Revision as of 12:18, 11 September 2008

Linear Systems

Because we are engineers we will use a picture to describe a linear system:

Systempjcannon ECE301Fall2008mboutin.JPG

Where $ a \! $ and $ b\! $ are real or complex. The system is defined as linear if $ z(t)=w(t)\! $
In other words, if in one scenario we have two signals put into a system, multiplied by a variable, then summed together, the output should equal the output of a second scenario where the signals are multiplied by a variable, summed together, then put through the same system. If this is true, then the system is defined as linear.

Alumni Liaison

Basic linear algebra uncovers and clarifies very important geometry and algebra.

Dr. Paul Garrett