(Examples)
(Examples)
 
Line 15: Line 15:
 
Linear:
 
Linear:
  
An example of an linear function is  
+
An example of an linear function is <math>\ y(t) = 3x(t + 8)</math>
 +
 
 +
because the result of the 1st method above yields <math>\ 3ax(t + 8) + 3bx(t + 8)</math>
 +
 
 +
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:
  
An example of a non-linear function is <math>\ x(t) = e^{t} </math>
+
An example of a non-linear function is <math>\ y(t) = e^{x(t)} </math>
  
 
because the result of the 1st method above yields <math>\ e^{ax(t)} + e^{bx(t)}</math>
 
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.
 
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