In a manner that relates to or resembles a line; characterized by being arranged in or proceeding along a straight line. This term is often used in mathematics, physics, and computer science to describe processes, functions, or relationships that exhibit constant rates of change or direct proportionality.
Linearly meaning with examples
- When calculating the distance traveled over time, the relationship is linearly proportional to speed. Therefore, if a car moves at a constant speed of 60 miles per hour, the distance covered in one hour will always be 60 miles, and this relationship can be graphically represented by a straight line.
- In a linearly structured educational program, students progress through courses in a sequential manner. Each subject builds upon the previous ones, ensuring that foundational knowledge is established before advancing. This approach helps to create a cohesive learning experience and minimizes gaps in understanding between topics.
- The graph demonstrated that the company's revenue increased linearly over the five-year period. Investors were pleased to see consistent growth, as the figures indicated that for every additional unit sold, revenue surged by a fixed amount, resulting in an easily interpretable linear trajectory of financial success.
- In software development, when a function operates linearly, it means that the execution time scales directly with the size of the input. For example, if processing a list of ten items takes one second, processing a list of twenty items will approximately take two seconds, illustrating a straight-line relationship.