Linear function

In mathematics, the term linear function refers to two distinct but related notions:[1]

As a polynomial functionEdit

Graphs of two linear (polynomial) functions.

In calculus, analytic geometry and related areas, a linear function is a polynomial of degree one or less, including the zero polynomial (the latter not being considered to have degree zero).

When the function is of only one variable, it is of the form


where a and b are constants, often real numbers. The graph of such a function of one variable is a nonvertical line. a is frequently referred to as the slope of the line, and b as the intercept.

For a function   of any finite number of independent variables, the general formula is


and the graph is a hyperplane of dimension k.

A constant function is also considered linear in this context, as it is a polynomial of degree zero or is the zero polynomial. Its graph, when there is only one independent variable, is a horizontal line.

In this context, the other meaning (a linear map) may be referred to as a homogeneous linear function or a linear form. In the context of linear algebra, this meaning (polynomial functions of degree 0 or 1) is a special kind of affine map.

As a linear mapEdit

The integral of a function is a linear map from the vector space of integrable functions to the real numbers.

In linear algebra, a linear function is a map f between two vector spaces that preserves vector addition and scalar multiplication:


Here a denotes a constant belonging to some field K of scalars (for example, the real numbers) and x and y are elements of a vector space, which might be K itself.

Some authors use "linear function" only for linear maps that take values in the scalar field;[6] these are also called linear functionals.

The "linear functions" of calculus qualify as "linear maps" when (and only when)  , or, equivalently, when the constant  . Geometrically, the graph of the function must pass through the origin.

See alsoEdit


  1. ^ "The term linear function means a linear form in some textbooks and an affine function in others." Vaserstein 2006, p. 50-1
  2. ^ Stewart 2012, p. 23
  3. ^ T. M. Apostol (1981). Mathematical Analysis. Addison-Wesley. p. 345.
  4. ^ Shores 2007, p. 71
  5. ^ A. Kurosh (1975). Higher Algebra. Mir Publishers. p. 214.
  6. ^ Gelfand 1961


External linksEdit