Math Is Fun Forum

I am currently writing my final year project for university in latex.. and whilst I have picked it up quite well I have come up against something which no amount of googling can help me with!

I have quite a few examples in my project which involve formula, but whilst I do not want label them as equations, im using the displaymath function, i want to be able to label the example itself so it can be referenced later.. so for example pardon the pun, i want an output like this:

""This can be shown below.

Example                          [1.1]

y = mx +c

As can be seen in example 1.1 ..""

That sort of thing.. I am hoping that someone knows how to define things that aren't an equation, or a figure etc in the same way you would normally say

\begin{equation}
y= mx + x
\label{eqn:easy}
\end{equation}

then reference in the usual way!

If anyone could help i would be really grateful..

thanks

richy.