When we look at linear and nonlinear functions, there are some important differences to know:

1. Shape of the Graph:

   • Linear functions make straight lines.
   • Nonlinear functions create curves or more complicated shapes.

2. Equation Style:

   • Linear equations usually look like this: $y = mx + b$, where $m$ is the slope (how steep the line is).
   • Nonlinear equations can include things like squares (for example, $y = ax^2 + bx + c$), cubes, or other powers.

3. How They Change:

   • Linear functions change at a steady rate.
   • Nonlinear functions change at different rates, which can make them harder to predict.

Understanding these differences will really help you when you start looking at graphs and figuring out how the variables are related!