1. The problem is to understand the correct form of the linear equation, which is $y = mx + b$, not $y = mx + 6$. 2. The formula $y = mx + b$ represents a straight line where: - $m$ is the slope of the line, indicating how steep the line is. - $b$ is the y-intercept, the point where the line crosses the y-axis. 3. The number 6 in $mx + 6$ is just a specific value for $b$. The general form uses $b$ to represent any y-intercept. 4. So, $y = mx + b$ is the general linear equation, and $y = mx + 6$ is a specific case where $b = 6$. 5. Remember, $m$ and $b$ can be any real numbers, and this form helps us describe all straight lines on a graph.