Linear equation in one variable

When an equation has only one variable of degree one, then that equation is known as linear equation in one variable.

• Standard form: ax+b=0, where a and b ϵ R & a ≠ 0
• Examples of linear equation in one variable are :

– 3x-9 = 0
– 2t = 5

Linear equation in 2 variables

When an equation has two variables both of degree one, then that equation is known as linear equation in two variables.

Standard form: ax+by+c=0, where a, b, c ϵ R & a, b ≠ 0
Examples of linear equations in two variables are:
– 7x+y=8
– 6p-4q+12=0

Examples of Linear Equations

The solution of linear equation in 2 variables

A linear equation in two variables has a pair of numbers that can satisfy the equations. This pair of numbers is called as the solution of the linear equation in two variables.

• The solution can be found by assuming the value of one of the variable and then proceed to find the other solution.
• There are infinitely many solutions for a single linear equation in two variables.

Graph of a Linear Equation

Graphical representation of a linear equation in 2 variables

• Any linear equation in the standard form ax+by+c=0 has a pair of solutions in the form (x,y), that can be represented in the coordinate plane.
• When an equation is represented graphically, it is a straight line that may or may not cut the coordinate axes.

Solutions of Linear equation in 2 variables on a graph

• A linear equation ax+by+c=0 is represented graphically as a straight line.
• Every point on the line is a solution for the linear equation.
• Every solution of the linear equation is a point on the line.

Lines passing through the origin

• Certain linear equations exist such that their solution is (0,0). Such equations when represented graphically pass through the origin.
• The coordinate axes namely x-axis and y-axis can be represented as y=0 and x=0, respectively.

Lines parallel to coordinate axes

• Linear equations of the form y=a, when represented graphically are lines parallel to the x-axis and a is the y-coordinate of the points in that line.
• Linear equations of the form x=a, when represented graphically are lines parallel to the y-axis and a is the x-coordinate of the points in that line.