linear equation

noun Mathematics.

a first-order equation involving two variables: its graph is a straight line in the Cartesian coordinate system.
any equation such that the sum of two solutions is a solution, and a constant multiple of a solution is a solution.
Compare linear operator.

Origin of linear equation

First recorded in 1810–20

Words nearby linear equation

linear b, linear collider, linear combination, linear dependence, linear differential equation, linear equation, linear extrapolation, linear fracture, linear function, linear graph, linear independence

British Dictionary definitions for linear equation

linear equation

noun

a polynomial equation of the first degree, such as x + y = 7

Scientific definitions for linear equation

linear equation

An algebraic equation, such as y = 4x + 3, in which the variables are of the first degree (that is, raised only to the first power). The graph of such an equation is a straight line.