what does linear an nonlinear functions mean?

I need help asap please i am begging you because i am a new student at this school and i don't get what the difference is between linear and nonlinear functions.

1 answer

the graph of a linear function is just a straight line.

Unless the function can be expressed as

y = mx+b (a sloping line with slope m)
or x = k (vertical line)

it is not linear. So, all higher-order polynomials, square roots, etc. are non-linear.

Not sure how being a new student at your school should affect your understanding of basic algebra ...