Linear Equation ( Two variables)

A common form of a linear equation in the two variables x and y is

where m and b designate constants (parameters). The origin of the name “linear” comes from the fact that the set of solutions of such an equation forms a straight line in the plane. In this particular equation, the constant m determines the slope or gradient of that line, and the constant term b determines the point at which the line crosses the y-axis, otherwise known as the y-intercept.

Since terms of linear equations cannot contain products of distinct or equal variables, nor any power (other than 1) or other function of a variable, equations involving terms such as xy, x², y^1/3, and sin(x) are nonlinear.

 

~source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_equation