What is Linear System?

< Contents | Previous | Next >

A system may have input and output. Suppose the system receive input X and it produces output Y.

A system is called a linear system if the system satisfied two conditions:

•  System that receive a sum of two inputs will also produce output equal to the sum of the two inputs

•  System that receive a constant multiplication of input will also produce output equal to the constant multiplication of the input

We can summarize the two conditions of the linear system into a linear combination. Thus, a linear system is a system that produces output equal to the linear combination of the input

The following are the example of linear system

A system that is not linear is called a non-linear system. The output is not a linear combination of the input. The following are the example of non-linear system

• 
• 
• (second term is not a linear combination of input or past input )

< Contents | Previous | Next >