how do you decide how to solve?

[olemary]

If you are given an equation x + 6y = -4 or the equation y=x^2 + 6x - 2 Do you solve it as a linear equation, or a quadratic equation? Sorry if this seems like a dumb question, but it's been a long time since I was in school, and I need to pass this course.

Thanks,
Mary

 

[stapel]

Since "x + 6y = -4" is a linear (degree-one) equation, you'd probably want to apply linear-equation techniques. Since "y = x^2 + 6x - 2" is a quadratic (degree-two) equation, you'd probably want to apply quadratic-equation techniques.

Note: Since each of these examples is a two-variable equation, you would not be able to "solve" for any numerical value.

Eliz.