(New page: A linear system is a system that an output of a certain signal is the sum of all the input signals. This is exactly the same as the property called superposition. ie: :<math>ax_1(t) + bx...)
 
Line 38: Line 38:
 
Which correspond to the definition described above.  
 
Which correspond to the definition described above.  
  
On the other hand, to prove that a system is non-linear.
+
On the other hand, to prove that a system is non-linear, let's assume we have:
 +
 
 +
 
 +
:<math>y(t) = x^2(t)\,</math>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
Again, choosing arbitrary signals:
 +
 
 +
 
 +
:<math>x_1(t) > y_1(t) = x_1^2(t)\,</math>
 +
:<math>x_2(t) > y_2(t) = x_2^2(t)\,</math>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
and let:
 +
 
 +
 
 +
:<math>y_3(t) = x_3^2(t)\,</math>
 +
:<math>y_3(t) = (ax_1(t) + bx_2(t))^2\,</math>
 +
:<math>y_3(t) = a^2x_1^2(t) + b^2x_2^2(t) + 2abx_1(t)x_2(t)\,</math>
 +
:<math>y_3(t) = a^2y_1(t) + b^2y_2(t) + 2abx_1(t)x_2(t)\,</math>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
As illustrated above, one can specify that <math>y_3(t)</math> is not the same as <math>ay_1(t) + by_2(t)</math>, and therefore the system is not linear.

Revision as of 18:21, 11 September 2008

A linear system is a system that an output of a certain signal is the sum of all the input signals. This is exactly the same as the property called superposition. ie:


$ ax_1(t) + bx_2(t) > ay_1(t) + by_2(t)\, $


This definition also holds true for DT signals.


For example, to prove that a system is linear, suppose that a system with output $ y(t) $ and input $ x(t) $ are related by


$ y(t) = tx(t)\, $


Choosing arbitrary signals, we have:


$ x_1(t) > y_1(t) = tx_1(t)\, $
$ x_2(t) > y_2(t) = tx_2(t)\, $


and let


$ x_3(t) = ax_1(t) + bx_2(t)\, $


Therefore,


$ y_3(t) = tx_3(t)\, $
$ y_3(t) = t(ax_1(t) + bx_2(t))\, $
$ y_3(t) = atx_1(t) + btx_2(t))\, $
$ y_3(t) = ay_1(t) + by_2(t)\, $


Which correspond to the definition described above.

On the other hand, to prove that a system is non-linear, let's assume we have:


$ y(t) = x^2(t)\, $


Again, choosing arbitrary signals:


$ x_1(t) > y_1(t) = x_1^2(t)\, $
$ x_2(t) > y_2(t) = x_2^2(t)\, $


and let:


$ y_3(t) = x_3^2(t)\, $
$ y_3(t) = (ax_1(t) + bx_2(t))^2\, $
$ y_3(t) = a^2x_1^2(t) + b^2x_2^2(t) + 2abx_1(t)x_2(t)\, $
$ y_3(t) = a^2y_1(t) + b^2y_2(t) + 2abx_1(t)x_2(t)\, $


As illustrated above, one can specify that $ y_3(t) $ is not the same as $ ay_1(t) + by_2(t) $, and therefore the system is not linear.

Alumni Liaison

Basic linear algebra uncovers and clarifies very important geometry and algebra.

Dr. Paul Garrett