GCSE Maths – Ratio, Proportion and

Rates of Change

Interpreting Gradients (Higher Only)

Worksheet

NOTES SOLUTIONS

This worksheet will show you how to work out different types of interpreting
gradients questions. Each section contains a worked example, a question
with hints and then questions for you to work through on your own.

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 Section A

Worked Example

Calculate the rate of change between the price of the car and the year.

Step 1: Find two co-ordinates’ points on this graph.

(𝑥𝑥1 , 𝑦𝑦1 ) = (0,14000)

(𝑥𝑥2 , 𝑦𝑦2 ) = (5,4000)

𝒚𝒚𝟏𝟏 −𝒚𝒚𝟐𝟐
Step 2: Calculate the gradient using the formula 𝒎𝒎 = .
𝒙𝒙𝟏𝟏 −𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐

14000−4000
𝑚𝑚 =
0−5

10,000
𝑚𝑚 = = −2000
−5

Step 3: Form a conclusion.

The rate of change between the car value and year is −2000. The car depreciates £2000
every year.

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 Guided Example

Calculate the rate of change between the price of oil and litre (cost per litre).

Step 1: Find two co-ordinates’ points on this graph.

𝒚𝒚𝟏𝟏 −𝒚𝒚𝟐𝟐
Step 2: Calculate the gradient using the formula 𝒎𝒎 = .
𝒙𝒙𝟏𝟏 −𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐

Step 3: Form a conclusion.

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 Now it’s your turn!
If you get stuck, look back at the worked and guided examples.

1. Calculate the cost per day for renting a hotel room.

2. Calculate the rate of change between the distance and time (speed).

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3. Calculate the rate of water discharge.

4. Calculate the rate of depreciation of the antique earrings.

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 Section B

Worked Example

Estimate the average rate of change between the car value and year.

Step 1: Draw a chord using a ruler and pencil, connecting the starting and ending point.

Step 2: Find two co-ordinates’ points on this chord:

(𝑥𝑥1 , 𝑦𝑦1 ) = (0,14000)

(𝑥𝑥2 , 𝑦𝑦2 ) = (5, 6250)
𝒚𝒚𝟏𝟏 −𝒚𝒚𝟐𝟐
Step 3: Calculate the gradient using the formula 𝒎𝒎 = .
𝒙𝒙𝟏𝟏 −𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐

14000 − 6250 7750

𝑚𝑚 = = = −1550
0−5 −5

Step 4: Form a conclusion.

The estimate of the rate of change between the car value and year is −1550. The car
depreciates £1550 every year approximately.

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 Guided Example

Estimate the cost of oil per litre.

Step 1: Draw a chord using a ruler and pencil, connecting the starting and ending point.

Step 2: Find two co-ordinates’ points on this chord.

𝒚𝒚𝟏𝟏 −𝒚𝒚𝟐𝟐
Step 3: Calculate the gradient using the formula 𝒎𝒎 = .
𝒙𝒙𝟏𝟏 −𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐

Step 4: Form a conclusion.

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 Now it’s your turn!
If you get stuck, look back at the worked and guided examples.

5. Estimate the cost per day for renting a hotel room.

6. Estimate the rate of change between the distance and time (speed)

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7. Estimate the rate of water discharge.

8. Estimate the depreciation of the antique earrings

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 Section C

Worked Example

Estimate the rate of change between the car value and year in year 2.

Step 1: Draw a tangent using a ruler and pencil at year 2.

Step 2: Find two co-ordinates’ points on this tangent:

(𝑥𝑥1 , 𝑦𝑦1 ) = (1, 9500)

(𝑥𝑥2 , 𝑦𝑦2 ) = (2, 8000)
𝒚𝒚𝟏𝟏 −𝒚𝒚𝟐𝟐
Step 3: Calculate the gradient using the formula 𝒎𝒎 = .
𝒙𝒙𝟏𝟏 −𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐

9500−8000 1500
𝑚𝑚 = = = −1500
1−2 −1

Step 4: Form a conclusion.

At year 2, the depreciation of the car is approximately £1500 per year.

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 Guided Example

Estimate the cost of oil per litre when there are 2 litres of oil.

Step 1: Draw a tangent using a ruler and pencil at litre 2.

Step 2: Find two co-ordinates’ points on this tangent.

𝒚𝒚𝟏𝟏 −𝒚𝒚𝟐𝟐
Step 3: Calculate the gradient using the formula 𝒎𝒎 = .
𝒙𝒙𝟏𝟏 −𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐

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 Now it’s your turn!
If you get stuck, look back at the worked and guided examples.

9. Estimate the cost per day for renting a hotel room on day 3.

10. Estimate the speed at 15 seconds.

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11. Estimate the rate of water discharge at 4 seconds.

12. Estimate the rate of depreciation of the antique earrings in Year 3.

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