Which of these best describes a linear inequality?

A linear inequality is one that can be expressed in a linear form, meaning it can be represented as a mathematical statement that involves a linear expression on one side and an inequality symbol (such as <, ≤, >, or ≥) on the other. This form typically looks like ( ax + b < c ), where ( a ), ( b ), and ( c ) are constants, and ( x ) is the variable. The linearity indicates that the graph of the equation ( ax + b = c ) would yield a straight line, representing all the points where the equality holds, while the inequality defines a region of the graph where values that satisfy the inequality lie.

In contrast to this definition, options that mention squared terms are incorrect because a linear inequality must involve terms of degree one or less. Additionally, while a representation by a straight line on a graph relates to linear equations and inequalities, it does not fully capture the essence of a linear inequality—it only describes part of its graphical representation. The statement about an inequality that cannot be simplified does not accurately reflect the characteristics of linear inequalities, as these can often be simplified or rearranged to reveal important information about their solutions. Thus, the best description for a linear inequality