Question:medium

Which of the following systems is memoryless?

Show Hint

To quickly spot a memoryless system, look at the time arguments inside the input terms $x(\cdot)$. - If every input term has exactly the same unmodified time argument as the output term (like $y(t)$ depending only on $x(t)$), the system is memoryless. - If the time argument involves scaling ($2t$), shifting ($t-3$), or inversion ($-t$), the system is dynamic and requires memory.
Updated On: Jul 4, 2026
  • \(y(t) = x(2t) + x(t)\)
  • \(y(t) = x(t) + 2x(t)\)
  • \(y(t) = -x(t) + x(1-t)\)
  • \(y(t) = x(t) + 2x(t+2)\)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Understanding the Concept: A continuous-time system is classified as memoryless (or static) if its output $y(t)$ at any given time instance $t = t_0$ depends *only* on the value of the input signal $x(t)$ at that exact same instantaneous time $t = t_0$. If the output equation requires values of the input from the past (e.g., $t-1$) or from the future (e.g., $t+2$), the system possesses memory and is classified as a dynamic system.

Step 1: Testing Option (A)

Given system: $y(t) = x(2t) + x(t)$. Let us evaluate the system behavior at a specific time instance, such as $t = 2$: \[ y(2) = x(2 \cdot 2) + x(2) = x(4) + x(2) \] To calculate the current output at $t = 2$, the system needs to know the value of the input signal at a future time instance, $t = 4$. Because it depends on future inputs, this system requires memory.

Step 2: Testing Option (B)

Given system: $y(t) = x(t) + 2x(t)$. This expression simplifies directly to: \[ y(t) = 3x(t) \] Let us check this system at any time instance $t = t_0$: \[ y(t_0) = 3x(t_0) \] The output at any moment $t_0$ depends exclusively on the input signal at that exact same instant $t_0$. It does not require any past values or future values of the input. Therefore, this system is completely memoryless.

Step 3: Testing Option (C)

Given system: $y(t) = -x(t) + x(1-t)$. Let us evaluate this system at the time instance $t = 0$: \[ y(0) = -x(0) + x(1 - 0) = -x(0) + x(1) \] The output at $t = 0$ requires the value of the input at a future time $t = 1$. This means the system is not memoryless.

Step 4: Testing Option (D)

Given system: $y(t) = x(t) + 2x(t+2)$. Let us evaluate this system at the time instance $t = 0$: \[ y(0) = x(0) + 2x(0+2) = x(0) + 2x(2) \] The output at $t = 0$ requires the future input value at $t = 2$. This system requires memory.
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