Algebra
Linear Equations
In the last chapter, we covered the parts of an equation. Now, let’s talk about a certain type of an equation: the Linear Equation. A linear equation is an equation that consists of a variable multiplied by a number, added to a constant. For example, \(12x-5=0\) is a linear equation. So is \(58x+119=0\). In general, a linear equation can be written as:
\[ax+b = 0\]where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants and and \(x\) is a variable. Note that you will often see \(x\) as a variable.
In a linear equation, \(a\) is a coefficient. A coefficient is the number next to a variable - the coefficient is always multiplied by the variable. The coefficient is negative if the term is being subtracted.