Final answer:
A straight line is typically considered simpler than an oval, as it requires only two parameters to describe (the y-intercept and the slope), while an oval requires at least five parameters (the lengths of the axes, the coordinates of the center, and the orientation angle).
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering geometrical shapes such as a straight line and an oval, we assess their complexity by the number of parameters required to describe them. A straight line in a two-dimensional space is often represented by the linear equation y = a + bx, where 'a' is the y-intercept and 'b' is the slope of the line. This suggests that only two parameters are needed to fully describe a straight line if it is not vertical.
In contrast, to describe an oval, which is a form of ellipse, more parameters are required. Typically, an oval can be defined by its major and minor axes' lengths and the coordinates of its center. Additionally, if the oval is not aligned with the coordinate axes, information about its orientation is needed. Therefore, an oval would require at least five parameters: two for the center's coordinates, two for the lengths of the axes, and one for the orientation (angle).
So, to answer the question, a straight line is generally considered simpler than an oval because it requires fewer parameters to describe.