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Gradient of a straight line

The document explains how to calculate the gradient of straight lines, including examples and formulas for finding gradients between two points. It also covers how to draw straight line graphs in the forms y = ax + b and ax + by = c, providing methods for determining axis crossing points. Several examples illustrate the process of calculating gradients and plotting graphs.

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Brianna
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6 views

Gradient of a straight line

The document explains how to calculate the gradient of straight lines, including examples and formulas for finding gradients between two points. It also covers how to draw straight line graphs in the forms y = ax + b and ax + by = c, providing methods for determining axis crossing points. Several examples illustrate the process of calculating gradients and plotting graphs.

Uploaded by

Brianna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GRADIENTS AND STRAIGHT

LINE GRAPHS
The gradient of a straight line is a measure of how steep the line is.

vertical distance
vertical distance gradient =
horizontal distance

horizontal distance

These lines have negative gradient. These lines have positive gradient.
1 Find the gradient of the line.

Gradient = 5
5 4

4
2 Find the gradient of the line.

Gradient = 3 = 1
6 2
3

6
3 Find the gradient of the line.

Gradient = 5 =1
5 5

5
4 Find the gradient of the line.

Gradient = − 6 = − 3
2
6

2
5 Find the gradient of the line.

Gradient = − 4 = − 2
4 6 3

6
6 Find the gradient of the line joining the points (−2, 1) and (4, 5).
y

Gradient = 4 = 2
4 6 3

6
x
7 Find the gradient of the line joining the points (−1, 3) and (2, −3).
y

Gradient = − 6 = −2
x 3
6

3
The gradient of a line passing through two points can also be
calculated using a formula.

If the points are (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) then the gradient (m) is
given by

Examples

1 Find the gradient of the line joining the points (2, 1) and (8, 7).

Gradient =
2 Find the gradient of the line joining the points (−2, 1) and (4, 5).

Gradient =

3 Find the gradient of the line joining the points (−1, 3) and (2, −3).

Gradient =
Straight line graphs of the form y = ax + b

1 Draw the graph of y = 2x + 1.

y
Choose 3 values of x and work
out the corresponding y values. x
4 y = 2x + 1
When x = 0, y = 2 × 0 + 1 = 1 x
When x = 1, y = 2 × 1 + 1 = 3 2
x
When x = 2, y = 2 × 2 + 1 = 5
x
-4 -2 2 4
Put the results into a table.
-2
x 0 1 2
y 1 3 5 -4

Plot the points on a graph and


join with a straight line.
2 Draw the graph of

4
When x = 3, y = 2 - ⅓ × 3 = 1 x
When x = 0, y = 2 - ⅓ × 0 = 2 2x

When x = −3, y = 2 - ⅓ × -3 = 3 x
x
-4 -2 2 4

-2
x −3 0 3
y 3 2 1 -4
Straight line graphs of the form ax + by = c

1 Draw the graph of 3x + 4y = 12.

y
The easiest method is to find the
axis crossing points. 4
x
When x = 0, 4y = 12 so y = 3. 3x + 4y = 12
2
When y = 0, 3x = 12 so x = 4.
x x
-4 -2 2 4
Put the results into a table.
-2
x 0 4
y 3 0 -4

Plot the points on a graph and


join with a straight line.
2 Draw the graph of 2x - 3y = 6.

y
The easiest method is to find the
axis crossing points. 4

When x = 0, −3y = 6 so y = −2.


2
When y = 0, 2x = 6 so x = 3.
x x
-4 -2 2 4
Put the results into a table.
-2x
x 0 3 2x - 3y = 6
y −2 0 -4

Plot the points on a graph and


join with a straight line.

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