liniowy

Liniowy is a Polish adjective meaning linear or related to a line. It is derived from Latin linearis and is used across science, engineering, and everyday language to describe objects, relationships, or processes that follow a straight-line or proportional behavior. The term appears in many standard expressions and technical phrases.

In mathematics and geometry, liniowy denotes concepts that satisfy additivity and homogeneity. Common phrases include równanie liniowe (linear equation), funkcja liniowa (linear function), transformacja liniowa (linear transformation), układ liniowy (linear system), and niezależność liniowa (linear independence). In linear algebra, linearity is a guiding principle for combining inputs and outputs.

In physics and kinematics, ruch liniowy refers to motion along a straight path, while prędkość liniowa denotes linear velocity. The term also appears in descriptions of forces, displacements, and other quantities that can be modeled by linear relationships.

In computer science, algorytmy liniowe and złożoność czasowa liniowa describe algorithms whose running time grows proportionally with the input size, typically O(n). This contrasts with nieliniowy (nonlinear) algorithms, where growth is not proportional.

In engineering and technology, napęd liniowy (linear actuator) and silnik liniowy (linear motor) describe devices that produce motion along a straight line, widely used in automation, robotics, and precision positioning.

Usage and nuance: liniowy is versatile but remains specific to linear relationships or motion along a line. The opposite term is nieliniowy, used for nonlinear or non-straight phenomena. The word flexibly adapts to gender and number through standard Polish inflection (liniowy, liniowa, liniowe).