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Overview of linear and non – linear functions

Something that is linear is something that is related to a line. For the purpose of constructing a line, all of the linear equations are used. A nonlinear equation is one that does not have a straight line as its solution. It has the appearance of a graph curve and has a variable slope value, just like a graph.

In most cases, a linear equation contains only one variable, and if an equation contains two variables, the equation is referred to as a Linear equation with two variables (or a Linear equation with two variables). For example, the linear equation 5x + 2 = 1 is a one-variable linear equation. 5x + 2y = 1, on the other hand, is a Linear equation in two variables.

What is a nonlinear function? 

A nonlinear function is defined as a function whose graph does not consist of a single straight line. Its graph does not have to be a straight line; it can be any curve. Consider the case of a pond with 100 fishes at the start of the season, which doubles in size every week. This situation can be represented by the function f(x) = 100 (2)x, where x is the number of weeks in the season and f(x) is the number of fishes. Let’s create a table and graph this function using the table as a reference point.

X

Y

0

100

1

200

2

400

3

800

So the graph of the table is, 

The graph above does not represent a line, and as a result, it represents a nonlinear function. Based on the graph above, we can conclude that the slope of a nonlinear function is not uniformly distributed. A nonlinear function can be represented in a variety of ways, including a table of values, an equation, and a graph.

Linear function table:

The following are the steps to take in order to determine if a table of values determines a linear function:

  • The differences among each two consecutive x values are to be determined.
  • Calculate the differences between each pair of consecutive y-coordinates.
  • Figure out what the corresponding ratios of the differences of y and the differences of x are.
  • If none of the ratios are the same, then the function is only linear in one direction.

Non linear function equation:

A linear function has the form f(x) = ax + b. A linear function has the form f(x) = ax + b. Because a nonlinear function is a function that is not a linear function, the equation for a nonlinear function can be anything that is NOT of the form f(x) = ax+b. The following are some examples of nonlinear functions:

  • Because it is a quadratic function, f(x) = x2 is a nonlinear function.
  • Because it is an exponential function, f(x) = 2x is not a linear function.
  • Because it is a cubic function, f(x) = x3 – 3x is nonlinear.

Linear and nonlinear function difference:

Linear function

Nonlinear function

A linear function is a function for which the graph is represented by a straight line.

A nonlinear function is a function for whom the graph does not contain a straight line as its graph.

In mathematical terms, it has the equation f(x) = ax + b.

Its equation can take on any form, with the exception of the form f(x) = ax + b, which is required.

The slope of the curve is constant between any two points on the curve.

Every point on the graph has a different slope than the other point on the graph.

It is necessary to note that the ratio of difference of y and difference of x in a linear function table is a constant.

The ratio of the difference of y and the difference of x in the table of a nonlinear function is NOT a constant in this case.

Tips and tricks on nonlinear function:

  • Nonlinearity is defined as the absence of a line in the graph of a function.  
  • Nonlinearity is defined as the absence of the equation of a function of the form f(x) = ax + b in the equation of a function.
  • The objective function z = ax + by may be either a linear function or a nonlinear function, depending on the situation.
  • Nonlinear functions include rational functions, polynomial functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, and other types of functions that are not linear.

Conclusion:

When plotted on a graph, a linear function is a function that produces a straight line. Non-linear functions, on the other hand, are any functions that are not linear. A nonlinear equation is one that does not have a straight line as its solution. In most cases, a linear equation contains only one variable, and if an equation contains two variables, the equation is referred to as a Linear equation with two variables. A nonlinear function is defined as a function whose graph does not consist of a single straight line. Its graph does not have to be a straight line; it can be any curve.

For determining a linear function, The differences among each two consecutive x values are to be determined, Calculate the differences between each pair of consecutive y-coordinates, If none of the ratios are the same, then the function is only linear in one direction.

Nonlinearity is defined as the absence of a line in the graph of a function. Nonlinearity is defined as the absence of the equation of a function of the form f(x) = ax + b in the equation of a function. The objective function z = ax + by may be either a linear function or a nonlinear function, depending on the situation.

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