(Example for a linear system)
(Example for a linear system)
Line 26: Line 26:
  
 
Let,
 
Let,
   <math>{y_1(t)=tsin(t}
+
   <math>{y_1(t)=tsin(t)}</math>
</math>
+
  
   <math>y_2(t)=tcos(t)
+
 
</math>
+
   <math>y_2(t)=tcos(t)</math>
  
 
Now,
 
Now,

Revision as of 15:32, 11 September 2008

Linearity

What is a linear system? A linear system is a mathematical model of a system based on the use of a linear operator. A system is called "linear" if for any constants a,b$ {\in} $complex number and for any inputs x1(t) and x2(t) yielding output y1(t),y2(t) respectively the response to a.x1(t)+b.x2(t) is a.y1(t)+b.y2(t). A more mathematical description would be, given two valid inputs

$ {x_1(t)} $

$ {x_2(t)} $

and their respective outputs

$ ({y_1(t)}=h*{x_1(t)} $

$ {y_2(t)}=h*{x_2(t)} $ then a linear system must satisfy

$ {a*y_1(t)}+{b*y_2(t)}=H*[{a*x_1(t)+b*y_1(t)}] $

Example for a linear system

Consider, $ {x_1(t)=sin(t)} $


$ {x_2(t)=cos(t)} $

Let,

  $ {y_1(t)=tsin(t)} $


  $ y_2(t)=tcos(t) $

Now,

(1).$ {a*y_1(t)+b*y_2(t)}={a*tsin(t)+b*tcos(t)} $

And, (2).$ {H[{a*x_1(t)+b*x_2(t)}]}={t{asin(t)+bcos(t)}}={a*tsin(t)+b*tcos(t)} $

Thus since (1) and (2) are the same the system is linear.

Example for non linear system

$ {x_1(t)=t^3} $

$ {x_2(t)=sin(t)} $

$ {y_1(t)={{x_1(t)}^2}} $

$ {y_2(t)={{x_2(t)}^2}} $

Therefore,

(1).$ {a*y_1(t)+b*y_2(t)}={a*{t}^6+b*{sin}^2(t)} $


(2).$ {H[{a*x_1(t)+b*x_2(t)}]}={[{a*{t}^3}+{b*sin(t)}]^2} $

When we observe (1) and (2) we notice that they are not equal. Thus the system is not linear.

Alumni Liaison

Prof. Math. Ohio State and Associate Dean
Outstanding Alumnus Purdue Math 2008

Jeff McNeal