Year 9 – Reasoning with algebra…

@whisto_maths Straight Line Graphs

What do I need to be able Keywords
to do? Gradient: the steepness of a line
Intercept: where two lines cross. The y-intercept: where the line meets the y-axis.
By the end of this unit you should be able to: Parallel: two lines that never meet with the same gradient.
• Compare gradients
Co-ordinate: a set of values that show an exact position on a graph.
• Compare intercepts
• Understand and use y= mx + c Linear: linear graphs (straight line) – linear common difference by addition/ subtraction
• Find the equation of a line from a graph Asymptote: a straight line that a graph will never meet.
• Interpret gradient and intercepts of real- Reciprocal: a pair of numbers that multiply together to give 1.
life graphs Perpendicular: two lines that meet at a right angle.

Lines parallel to the axes All the points on this line have ‘a’ can be ANY positive Plotting y = mx + c graphs
a x coordinate of 10 or negative value including
0 3 x the x coordinate then – 1

Draw a table to display this

Lines parallel to the y axis take the form x -10 -1 8 information
Intersection = a and are vertical
points This represents a coordinate pair
Lines parallel to the x axis take the form y (-3, -10)
= a and are horizontal
All the points on this line have e.g. (3, -2) (7, -2) (-2, -2) You only need two points to form a
a y coordinate of -2 all lay on this line because the straight line
y coordinate is -2

Compare Gradients Plotting more points helps you decide

y=2x The greater the if your calculations are correct (if
gradient – the steeper they do make a straight line)
𝟏
y= x
𝟐
the line

𝟏
The coefficient of x (the y= x-4 Remember to join the points to make
𝟐
number in front of x) tells us Parallel lines have the a line
the gradient of the line same gradient

Compare Intercepts The value of c is the point at y = mx + c The equation of a line

which the line crosses the y- The coefficient of x (the number in front can be rearranged:. E.g:
(0,2) y=2x + 2 axis. Y intercept of x) tells us the gradient of the line y = c + mx
𝟏
y= x
𝟐
The coordinate of a y intercept The value of c is the point at c = y – mx
will always be (0,c) which the line crosses the y- Identify which coefficient
axis. Y intercept you are identifying or
𝟏
y= x-4 Lines with the same y- y and x are coordinates. comparing.
𝟐
intercept cross in the same
place
(0,-4)
Real life graphs
The y-intercept shows the
minimum charge.
Find the equation from a graph The gradient represents the
( 0,1 ) price per mile
The y- The Gradient.
𝟔 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1 In real life graphs like this values will always be positive because they
intercept =𝟐
𝟑 measure distances or objects which cannot be negative.
The direction of the line indicates a positive Direct Proportion graphs To represent direct proportion the graph must start at the origin.
gradient
When you have 0 pens
6 this has 0 cost.
The gradient shows the
3 price per pen.