Final answer:
An equation of the form ax+b=0, with a being non-zero, is called a linear equation in one variable. It represents a straight line when graphed, with x as the independent variable and y as the dependent variable.
Step-by-step explanation:
An equation in the form ax+b=0, where a≠0, such as 3x+17=0, is called a linear equation in one variable. This type of equation represents a straight line when graphed on a coordinate plane, where x is the independent variable and the other term, often denoted as y, is the dependent variable.
In the context of linear equations, y = a + bx is a standard form, where a is the y-intercept and b is the slope of the line. When graphed, this equation produces a straight line, illustrating a linear relationship between the independent and dependent variables. The slope (b) shows the rate of change of the dependent variable as the independent variable changes, while the y-intercept (a) is where the line crosses the y-axis.