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JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Mathematics » Overview of linear and non – linear functions

Overview of linear and non – linear functions

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.

Table of Content
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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.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the IIT JEE Examination Preparation.

What is the best way to determine whether a function is linear or nonlinear?

Ans : The most important concept is that a linear function ha...Read full

What is the difference between linear and nonlinear functions?

Ans : When plotted on a graph, a linear function is a relatio...Read full

A nonlinear function is an example of which you can think of.

Ans : A function whose graph does not consist of a line or a ...Read full

What are the four different types of non-linear functions?

Ans : Different types of nonlinear functions are discussed, i...Read full

What is a real function's continuity?

Ans:  When a real function (f) on a subset of the real numbers occurs at point c, the continuity of the function is...Read full

Ans : The most important concept is that a linear function has a constant rate of change, whereas a nonlinear function does not. A nonlinear function, on the other hand, does not.

 

Ans : When plotted on a graph, a linear function is a relationship between two variables that results in a straight line. When plotted on a graph, a nonlinear function is one that does not follow the shape of a line.

Ans : A function whose graph does not consist of a line or a segment of a line. – As an illustration: When you blow up a balloon, the volume of the balloon increases.

 

Ans : Different types of nonlinear functions are discussed, including quadratic functions, polynomials, and the arithmetic, exponential, and logarithmic functions, among others.

Ans:  When a real function (f) on a subset of the real numbers occurs at point c, the continuity of the function is defined as- A continuous real function (f) is one that is continuous at all points in its domain.

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