Expert: Abe Mantell - 5/29/2009

Question
By looking at an equation, how do you decide if it is a linear equation (graph is a straight line) or something else (for example, circle, parabola, hyperbola, and so on).  

Answer
Hello Kimberly,

A linear equation is one that can be put into the following form:
Ax + By = C ... i.e. the variables all have an exponent of 1, and
are only multiplied by constants.   The other equations (circles,
parabolas, hyperbolas, etc.) do not fit this criteria (they have
x squared or y squared, etc.).

OK?

Abe