"Linear" equations are simply those where the highest power of any variable is 1 (one). There could be 2 variables in which case it is a straight line, or there might be three in which case it is a flat plane, or there might be a million in which case we don't know what it actually looks like.
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Non-linear equations represent shapes other than straight lines.Non-linear equations represent shapes other than straight lines.Non-linear equations represent shapes other than straight lines.Non-linear equations represent shapes other than straight lines.
Because, if plotted on a Cartesian plane, all solutions to the equation would lie on a straight line.
A linear equation is a specific type of function that represents a straight line on a graph. While all linear equations are functions, not all functions are linear equations. Functions can take many forms, including non-linear ones that do not result in a straight line on a graph. Linear equations, on the other hand, follow a specific form (y = mx + b) where the x variable has a coefficient and the equation represents a straight line.
The graph, in the Cartesian plane, of a linear equation is a straight line. Conversely, a straight line in a Cartesian plane can be represented algebraically as a linear equation. They are the algebraic or geometric equivalents of the same thing.
Presumably the question concerned a PAIR of linear equations! The answer is two straight lines intersecting at the point whose coordinates are the unique solution.