(Example of a Non-Linear System)
(Example of a Non-Linear System)
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== Example of a Non-Linear System ==
 
== Example of a Non-Linear System ==
 
Let <math>y(t)=x^2(t) \!</math>.  Then:
 
Let <math>y(t)=x^2(t) \!</math>.  Then:
 
+
<br>
 
[[Image:Nonlinsystempjcannon2_ECE301Fall2008mboutin.JPG]]
 
[[Image:Nonlinsystempjcannon2_ECE301Fall2008mboutin.JPG]]
 +
<br>
  
 
Thus, the system <math>y(t)=x^2(t)\!</math> is non-linear.
 
Thus, the system <math>y(t)=x^2(t)\!</math> is non-linear.

Revision as of 12:53, 11 September 2008

Linear Systems

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

Systempjcannon3 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.

Example of a Linear System

Let $ y(t)=x(t) \! $. Then:

Linsystempjcannon ECE301Fall2008mboutin.JPG

Thus, the system $ y(t)=x(t)\! $ is linear.


Example of a Non-Linear System

Let $ y(t)=x^2(t) \! $. Then:
Nonlinsystempjcannon2 ECE301Fall2008mboutin.JPG

Thus, the system $ y(t)=x^2(t)\! $ is non-linear.

Alumni Liaison

Abstract algebra continues the conceptual developments of linear algebra, on an even grander scale.

Dr. Paul Garrett