5.1.1 Identifying Linear Functions (continued) Example 3 Graphing Linear Functions
Another way to determine whether a function is linear is to consider its equation. A function is linear if it is described by a linear equation. A linear equation is any equation that can be written in the form Ax + By = C , where A , B , and C are real numbers and A and B are not both 0. This is called the standard form of a linear equation. Notice that when a linear equation is written in standard form
• x and y both have exponents of 1. • x and y are not multiplied together. • x and y do not appear in denominators, exponents, or under radical signs.
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