Plotting Straight Line Graphs using Gradient Method Tutorial
math tutorials > plotting straight line graphs using gradient method
What is the gradient of a straight line graph?
The gradient of a line (symbol m) gives us information about the steepness of a line and the direction in which it slopes.
Example
In y = ½ x + 1, the gradient is ½.
The gradient between 2 points
Note:
- Vertically, a step up is positive, a step down is negative. Horizontally,
a step to the right is positive, to the left is negative.
- A horizontal line has a gradient of 0.
- A vertical line is infinitely steep. The gradient is undefined.
Drawing a graph form the equation y = mx + c.
- Identify the gradient (m).
- Identify and plot the y-intercept (c).
- Draw a line form the y-intercept with the correct gradient.
Graph problems for you to try
You may need to rearrange the equation into the form y = mx + c.
- y = x + 2
- y = -2x + 3
- y = ½x - 4
- x = y = 6
- 2x + 5y = 10
