(Linear Systems)
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Where <math>a \!</math> and <math>b\!</math> are real or complex.  The system is defined as linear if <math>z(t)=w(t)\!</math>
 
Where <math>a \!</math> and <math>b\!</math> are real or complex.  The system is defined as linear if <math>z(t)=w(t)\!</math>
 +
<br>
 +
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.

Revision as of 11:18, 11 September 2008

Linear Systems

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

Systempjcannon 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.

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To all math majors: "Mathematics is a wonderfully rich subject."

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