Question

In your own words, explain two ways to determine if an equation is linear.

Answer 1

@Napervillian

Answer 2

Any polynomial which has a degree of 1would be considered linear.

It is also 1 to 1 if it is linear.

It has a derivative of a constant.

Answer 3

A function is linear if it has no max or min.

Answer 4

@fellowroot is correct, however in less mathy terms, an equation is linear if it can be drawn with a straight line. Also if there is no exponent on the dependent variable. so things that look like this:
\[y=x^3+5\]
are not linear. this is because when there is an exponent it causes things to start to look like this:
since that doesn't exactly hold to one straight line, it wouldn't be considered linear.

Answer 5

If it is of the form y=mx+b then its linear.