The equation of a linear function<span> has no exponents higher than 1, and the graph of a </span>linear function<span> is a straight line. The equation of a </span>nonlinear function<span> has at least one exponent higher than 1, and the graph of a </span>nonlinear function<span> is a curved line.</span>
A linear function has a constant additive rate of change, while a nonlinear function does not. For a table of values to be linear, the dependent variable must have a constant rate of change as the independent variable increases by 1. On a graph, the function must be a straight line to be linear.
In flight, a rocket is subjected to the forces of weight, thrust, and aerodynamics. On this slide, we have removed the outer "skin" so that we can see the parts. The payload of the German V2, shown in the figure, was several thousand
