nonlinear

4 definitions found

nonlinear - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  nonlinear \nonlinear\ adj.
     1. (Math.) Not depictable graphically as a straight line; not
        changing by a constant amount for each unit of time,
        distance, or other independent variable. Opposite of
        linear.
        [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
  
     2. (Math.) Containing variables of greater than the first
        degree; -- of an equation. Opposite of linear.
        [PJC]
  
     3. (Physics) Represented by equations containing variables of
        greater than the first degree; -- of physical processes or
        relationships. Opposite of linear.
        [PJC]

nonlinear - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  nonlinear
      adj 1: designating or involving an equation whose terms are not
             of the first degree [ant: additive, linear]

nonlinear - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  nonlinear
  
     (Scientific computation) A property of a system whose output
     is not proportional to its input.  For example, a transistor
     has a region of input voltages for which its output voltage is
     found by multiplying the input voltage by the gain of the
     transistor.  Outside this region though, the transistor
     behaves non-linearly, meaning that it does not obey this
     simple equation.  The behaviour of a system containing
     non-linear components is thus harder to model and to predict.
  
     [Jargon File]
  

nonlinear - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  nonlinear
   adj.
  
     [scientific computation]
  
     1. Behaving in an erratic and unpredictable fashion; unstable. When
     used to describe the behavior of a machine or program, it suggests
     that said machine or program is being forced to run far outside of
     design specifications. This behavior may be induced by unreasonable
     inputs, or may be triggered when a more mundane bug sends the
     computation far off from its expected course.
  
     2. When describing the behavior of a person, suggests a tantrum or a
     flame. "When you talk to Bob, don't mention the drug problem or
     he'll go nonlinear for hours." In this context, go nonlinear connotes
     `blow up out of proportion' (proportion connotes linearity).