Is non-linearity incontrovertible? What about hidden variables?

[kmarinas86]

Some systems are said to not obey the superposition principle. This is because certain relations are found which are not arrived at by simple addition or subtraction. However, I wonder if some "non-linear systems" can be modeled directly from an underlying set of linear equations. Now, I don't assume that such a set of equations would be finite. One must somehow generate such equations, though not necessarily by using a system of non-linear equations. Is it possible? If so, can such a process theoretically apply to all non-linear systems?

 

[HallsofIvy]

You can always approximate a non-linear system by a sufficiently complicated linear system. Is that what you mean?

 

[Filip Larsen]

You can always approximate a non-linear system by a sufficiently complicated linear system.

As long as one remembers that approximate in this case means that there are non-linear system whose behavior cannot be approximated by any (piece-wise) linear approximation of the field. Or in other words, some non-linear systems have behavioral characteristics that will escape any analysis based on linear theory.

 

[Pythagorean]

Paramertize the curve 10 more times!