Linéaires

Linéaires is a term that can refer to several concepts, primarily in mathematics and linguistics. In mathematics, "linéaire" is the French word for "linear." A linear relationship is one where the change in the output is proportional to the change in the input. This is often represented by a straight line when graphed. Linear equations, for example, are equations where the variables are raised only to the power of one. Linear algebra is a major branch of mathematics that deals with vector spaces and linear mappings between them.

In linguistics, "linéaire" can describe writing systems. Linear B, an ancient script used in Mycenaean Greece, is an example. It is a syllabic script, meaning each symbol represents a syllable. The term "linear" in this context refers to the arrangement of these symbols in a sequential, one-dimensional manner, as opposed to a more pictographic or ideographic system. The decipherment of Linear B by Michael Ventris in the 1950s was a significant breakthrough in understanding Mycenaean civilization.

Another common usage of "linéaire" relates to objects or structures that are elongated or arranged in a line. This could apply to furniture, designs, or even spatial arrangements. The precise meaning of "linéaires" is therefore dependent on the context in which it is used, but generally points towards characteristics of linearity, order, or a sequential arrangement.