Step 1: Choose an Example Input Signal
Let's consider an example where:
x[n] = {1, 2, 3, 4}
for n = 0, 1, 2, 3.
Applying the system y[n] = x[n] + 5, we get:
y[n] = {1 + 5, 2 + 5, 3 + 5, 4 + 5} = {6, 7, 8, 9}
Step 2: Shift the Input Signal
Now, let's shift the input before applying the system.
Let’s shift x[n] by 1 step to the right, so the new signal becomes:
x[n − 1] = {?, 1, 2, 3}
where ? represents an undefined value (assuming causal behavior, we can take it as 0):
x[n − 1] = {0, 1, 2, 3}
Now, apply the system transformation:
y ′ [n] = x[n − 1] + 5
y ′ [n] = {0 + 5, 1 + 5, 2 + 5, 3 + 5} = {5, 6, 7, 8}
Step 3: Shift the Output of the Original System
From Step 1, we had:
y[n] = {6, 7, 8, 9}
Shifting this by 1 step to the right, we get:
y[n − 1] = {?, 6, 7, 8}
Assuming a causal system (padding the missing value with 0+5=5):
y[n − 1] = {5, 6, 7, 8}
Step 4: Compare the Results
System response to shifted input: y ′ [n] = {5, 6, 7, 8}
Shifted system response: y[n − 1] = {5, 6, 7, 8}
Since they are identical, the system is time-invariant.
Final Answer: The System is Time-Invariant
The numerical example confirms that shifting the input first or shifting the output first produces
the same result. Hence, the system y[n] = x[n] + 5 is time-invariant.