Linear vs Non Linear
How do you determine if a function is
linear or non linear
Linear Function
Non Linear Function
How do you tell when you get a
set of data points
x
y
2
7
4
14
6
21
8
28
Linear
• For it to be linear, the rate of change needs to
be the same on all sets of point
• Change in y over the Change in x, will not
differ
• For it to be linear, you cannot have x raised to
any power
The x’s are increasing by 2’s
The y’s are increasing by 7
As long as they are all the same
increase, it is linear
Linear or Non Linear
x
y
-2
-1
0
1
-1
1
3
5
Linear or Non Linear
x
y
0
1
2
3
0
-5
-7
-21
Linear or Non Linear
x
y
5
8
11
14
-15
-11
-7
-3
Linear or Non Linear
x
y
0
1
2
3
1
2
4
8
Linear Vs Nonlinear
• All linear functions can be written in
Y = mx + b format
Is y = 2x2 + 5 a linear function