(Definition)
(Examples)
 
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== Definition ==
 
== Definition ==
If  
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If Z(t) and W(t) in the following are equal the system is linear.
  
  
yields the same result as
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[[Image:Linearity Part 1_ECE301Fall2008mboutin.jpg]]
  
  
the system is linear.
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 +
 
 +
 
 +
[[Image:Linearity Part 2_ECE301Fall2008mboutin.jpg]]
  
 
== Examples ==
 
== Examples ==
  
 
Linear:
 
Linear:
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An example of an linear function is <math>\ y(t) = 3x(t + 8)</math>
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 +
because the result of the 1st method above yields <math>\ 3ax(t + 8) + 3bx(t + 8)</math>
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and the result of the 2nd method above yields <math>\ 3[ax(t + 8) + bx(t + 8)]</math>. Because they yield the same result the system is linear.
  
 
Non-Linear:
 
Non-Linear:
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An example of a non-linear function is <math>\ y(t) = e^{x(t)} </math>
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because the result of the 1st method above yields <math>\ e^{ax(t)} + e^{bx(t)}</math>
 +
 +
and the result of the 2nd method above yields <math>\ e^{ax(t) + bx(t)}</math>, which is not equal to the first result.

Latest revision as of 11:22, 12 September 2008

Definition

If Z(t) and W(t) in the following are equal the system is linear.


Linearity Part 1 ECE301Fall2008mboutin.jpg



Linearity Part 2 ECE301Fall2008mboutin.jpg

Examples

Linear:

An example of an linear function is $ \ y(t) = 3x(t + 8) $

because the result of the 1st method above yields $ \ 3ax(t + 8) + 3bx(t + 8) $

and the result of the 2nd method above yields $ \ 3[ax(t + 8) + bx(t + 8)] $. Because they yield the same result the system is linear.

Non-Linear:

An example of a non-linear function is $ \ y(t) = e^{x(t)} $

because the result of the 1st method above yields $ \ e^{ax(t)} + e^{bx(t)} $

and the result of the 2nd method above yields $ \ e^{ax(t) + bx(t)} $, which is not equal to the first result.

Alumni Liaison

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

Dr. Paul Garrett