[Math] Linear equations, how many solutions does it really have

algebra-precalculus

My math book says, a Linear equation has exactly one solution. Because $ax + b = 0$; $x =-\frac{b}{a}$. But I've solved many linear equations with multiple solutions before.
(I'm not very good in math. Need help…)

Best Answer

If we assume that all linear equations have the form:

$$ ax + b= 0 $$

(which is completely valid and should be how we view linear equations)

then linear equations have either 1, 0, or infinite solutions. It's quite simple if $a \neq 0$ then they have exactly one solution: $x = -\frac{b}{a}$.

On the other hand, if $a = 0$ then if $b = 0$ we have infinite solutions (any value of $x$ solves $0x + 0 = 0$) and if $a = 0$ and $b \neq 0$ then there are no solutions (there is no value of $x$ that makes $0x + 1 = 0$, for example).

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