document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=612467>Question 612467</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> So I know when doing linear equations the equation is ax+b=0 but when determining if an equation is linear or not does there have to be the variable b. For example is the equation 1/2x+0 a linear equation even though it does not have a \"B\" vairable? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #385501 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=blwinbbbles><B>blwinbbbles(106)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-09.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=blwinbbbles><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=blwinbbbles><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=385501\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> To answer the first part of your question:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The answer is yes there is always a b\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "b is the point at which the line crosses the y axis and every straight line will cross the y axis.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now that point can be zero.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "so in using ax+b=0 as the linear equation\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "in the equation you show\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "1/2 x + 0 then 1/2 = a and 0 = b...so this equation does have \"b\"\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "however is there more to this equation as it should equal something?  such as \"y\" or zero. </SPAN>\n" );
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