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linear function

linear function

1 4.7
A rule that makes a straight line on a graph
  • noun
  • /ˈlɪniər ˈfʌŋkʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : función lineal
  • Plotting a linear function on Cartesian coordinates will always yield a straight line, displaying its consistent relationship between variables.

So you no longer risk averse with linear functions, you are risk neutral.

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Examples

  • In the simplest case of perfect price reversibility, we assume that desired (long-run) demand is a linear function of price:

    Academic text (1992)
  • We examine a specification in which MPG is a linear function of a constant, and the current and lagged price of gasoline, with a lag length of 10 years.

    Academic text (1992)
  • It's not because it has to be a linear function of the value of X.

  • And here I have a linear function coming back to zero.

  • Desired fuel efficiency is assumed to be a linear function of the real fuel price, the maximum historical price, and time:

    Academic text (1990)
  • Shown along with the temperature data is a simple linear model showing the temperature rise as a linear function of CO2 concentration.

    Blog text (9)
  • Both generation cost and CO2 emissions are assumed to be linear functions of the energy generated.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The CAPM asserts that the equilibrium rate of return of an asset is a linear function of its risk.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The equation for a linear function is usually written as y = mx + b, which forms a straight line on a graph.

  • In algebra, a linear function can be easily identified by its constant rate of change represented in its slope.

How Complex

complex function
  • Specialized
8.5
polynomial
  • Specialized
1 7.9
linear function
  • Specialized
1 4.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

linear + function

The noun phrase is compositionally transparent: 'linear' (having a straight-line form) modifies 'function' (a mapping), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a function whose graph is a straight line. Though mathematical/technical, the adjective+noun structure follows regular semantics and similar constructions exist in other languages, making the meaning immediately derivable for B1 learners.

Etymology

The term linear function comes from the idea that the rule makes a straight line when you draw it on a graph. So a linear function is a simple math rule where equal steps in x give equal steps in y, which is why we call it a 'constant rate of change'.