Is y^2=x+5 a linear function? Explain?

Linear functions are always first degree (highest exponent on the placeholder is 1)

we see that we have y^2, exponent of 2

2>1 so this is not linear

also, linear means line so it has to be a line to be linear, if yo graphed it, it would not be a line

No it is not linear because it would make a curved line