Final answer:
The value of b in the linear equation y = 2x + 1 is 1.
Step-by-step explanation:
The linear equation y = 2x + 1 is in the form y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. In this equation, the value of b is 1. The y-intercept represents the point where the line crosses the vertical axis, which is at the point (0, b). In this case, the equation crosses the vertical axis at the point (0, 1).