now If
X(t)-----> System---->z1(t)$ \times $a---->a.z1(t)
Y(t)-----> System---->z2(t)$ \times $b---->b.z2(t)
a.z1(t)+bz2(t)----->Z(t) equation 1
and
X(t)$ \times $a----->w1(t).a
Y(t)$ \times $b----->w2(t).b
now
w1(t).a+w2(t).b------>System----->W(t) equation 2
IF eq 1 = eq 2 the system is linear. a,b are complex numbers.