Line 1: Line 1:
 +
[[Category:bonus point project]]
 
=== Linearity  ===
 
=== Linearity  ===
  

Latest revision as of 10:50, 6 May 2012

Linearity

Theory

There are three definitions we discussed in class for linearity.

Definition 1

A system is called linear if for any constants $ a,b\in $  all complex numbers and for any input signals x1(t),x2(t) with response y1(t),y2(t), respectively, the system's response to ax1(t) + bx2(t) is ay1(t) + by2(t). 

Definition 2

If

$ x_1(t) \rightarrow \begin{bmatrix} system \end{bmatrix} \rightarrow y_1(t) $

$ x_2(t) \rightarrow \begin{bmatrix} system \end{bmatrix} \rightarrow y_2(t) $

then

$ ax_1(t) + bx_2(t) \rightarrow \begin{bmatrix} system \end{bmatrix} \rightarrow ay_1(t) + by_2(t) $

for any $ a,b\in $  all complex numbers, any x1(t),x2(t) then we say the system is linear.

Definition 3

Slide1.jpg

Applications

Linearity can be used to simplify the Fourier transform.  Integration and differentiation are also linear.  Once a non-linear system is made linear, complex systems are easier to model mathematically.  True linear systems are virtually unknown in the real world, but over a small range of variables, systems can be modeled as linear.  




Alumni Liaison

Followed her dream after having raised her family.

Ruth Enoch, PhD Mathematics