Graphing linear equation in two variables?

How do I determine if an equation is a linear equation in two variables? This graphing is so confusing. Any help is appreciated

A function in however many variables is linear if you have only constants, constants times one of the variables and nothing more complicated. In particular, there are no "squares" or higher powers, no roots, no variables multiplied together and no more complicated functions.

Soconfused said:

How do I determine if an equation is a linear equation in two variables? This graphing is so confusing. Any help is appreciated

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How many variables does the equation contain? If not two, then then answer is "no". If two, then:

What are the powers on the variables? If any power is anything OTHER than an understood "1", then.... would that graph as a straight line? So would it be linear?