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Linear equation
In analytic geometry, a linear equation can always be expressed as an equation of the first degree in two unknowns
ax + by + c = 0
and forms a straight line.
Explanation
At school you learn that the equation of a straight line is written as
y = ax + b
or as
y = mx + n
but of course that is all the same. After all, you can also write the linear equation as
by = −ax − c
from which follows
In mathematics use the notation that fits best in a particular case. It is not a question of what is beautiful or what you usually do, but for what is clear.