Linear equations are recognized by the fact that the highest power of the unknown (the variable, oftentimes named "x") is 1.  They are called linear because graphs of linear functions are lines.

Once the linear equation is in the form ax + b = c, the solution is simple....it is:  x=(c-b)/a.  This could be thought of as the linear formula.

For example, take the equation 3x - 4 = 8.  The solution is:  x = (8-(-4))/3 = (8 + 4)/3 = 12/3 = 4.

However, we often are asked to solve linear equations that are NOT in the form ax + b = c, so we usually spend most of our effort putting the equations in that form.

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