Gradients of Straight Line Graphs
Equations featuring x and y (and no x3 or y2 OR any other powers but 1 (one/unit)) are straight lines.
1. Definition:
The gradient of a line is a measure of how steep it is. If the gradient is small, the slope of the line will be
very gradual, but if the gradient is big, the line will be quite steep. You are required to know how
to calculate the gradient from two possible circumstances:
You are given the line drawn on a graph.
You are given two coordinates and told that a line passes through both of them.
2. Finding the Gradient of a Straight Line
Example: Find the gradient of the line shown:
In general, if we have two coordinates A(x1,y1) and B(x2,y2) then the gradient of the line that passes
through the points A and B is,
Rise
Gradient =
Run
change in y
Gradient =
change in x
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change in y
Gradient =
change in x
y2 − y1
Gradient =
x2 − x1
2 − (−1) 3
Gradient = =
2−0 2
3. Positive vs Negative Gradients
Positive gradient: y value increases as the x value increases.
Negative gradient: y value decreases as the x value increases.
Example: Find the Gradient of a Line Through Two Points
Work out the gradient of the straight line that passes through the points A(2,3) and B(−10,6) .
Step 1: pick one of the points and subtract its xx and y coordinates from the other
point’s x and y coordinates respectively.
change in y = (y1 − y2 ) = (6 − 3) = 3
change in x = (x1 − x2 ) = (−10 − 2) = −12
Step 2: Substitute in to the formula,
change in y 3 1
Gradient = = =−
change in x −12 4
4. Horizontal and Vertical Lines
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Horizontal lines: 𝑦 = 𝑎 (constant y value)
Vertical lines: 𝑥 = 𝑎 (constant x value)
Example: Draw the graphs of 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑦 = 2 .
When drawing such lines, find the coordinate on the correct axis, i.e. for = 1 , find (1,0) and draw
a straight line perpendicular to that axis which results in a vertical line.
Similarly for 𝑦 = 2 , find (0,2) and draw a straight line perpendicular to that axis, which in this case is
a horizontal line.
Question 1: Calculate the gradient of the line drawn below. [2 marks]
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Question 2: Calculate the gradient of the line drawn below.
[2 marks]
Question 3: Find the gradient of the line that passes through P(−8,−1) and Q(2,−6).
Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Parallel Lines – have the same gradient,
-they are always the same distance away from each other, no matter how long the lines are extended.
Perpendicular Lines – form a right-angle to each other.
Make sure you are comfortable with the following topics:
y = mx + c revision
Drawing Straight Line Graphs revision
Rearranging Formulae
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Parallel Lines – Same Gradient
Parallel lines have the same gradient.
This will be the same m in the straight line equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐
For the example shown:
𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 3
𝑦 = 3𝑥
𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 5
All three have the same gradient 𝑚 = 3 .
Perpendicular Lines – Right Angles
Perpendicular lines that meet at right angles.
When their two gradients are multiplied together the result should be −1.
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m×−m1=−1
Take a look at the example above:
𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 1
−1
𝑦= 𝑥+5
3
If we multiply the gradients
−1
3× = −1
3
So these lines are perpendicular.
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Resources:
1. https://mmerevise.co.uk/gcse-maths-revision/gradients-straight-line-graphs-gcse-maths-revision-
worksheets/
2.
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