Is the Resultant of Combining Unit Step Functions Still a Unit Step Function?

[veralika]

if you subtract two delayed unit step functions, is the resultant a unit step function too? what is the value at the last point? 0 or 1? similarly, if you add 2 unit step functions will the magnitude of the resultant funtion be 1 or 2?

 

[kyiydnlm]

not exactly, you need to deal with different segements of you input function separately.

 

[Born2bwire]

Just draw them out and do the additions and subtractions that way. The step function is rather simple so a quick pictoral representation should show you your answer.

 

[veralika]

Just draw them out and do the additions and subtractions that way. The step function is rather simple so a quick pictoral representation should show you your answer.

i still don't get it. could u just tell me that when u subtract 2 unit step functions, will there or will there not be a discontinuity at the last point?

 

[Born2bwire]

i still don't get it. could u just tell me that when u subtract 2 unit step functions, will there or will there not be a discontinuity at the last point?

What is the last point? This depends completely on what the actual step functions are that you are operating on. Just draw the step functions out on a graph, one above the other and it should be apparent how the resultant plot should look like when you add or subtract the two.