Linearization: Students Forget the Operating Point

Linearization is a standard part of modeling and control design theory for a class of nonlinear dynamical systems taught in basic undergraduate courses. Although linearization is a straight-line methodology, it is not applied correctly by many students since they often forget to keep the operating point in mind. This paper explains the topic and suggests a way to improve the teaching of the methodology in control courses. The idea is presented on a model of an inverted pendulum on a cart—a classical laboratory model used in the control theory education process.