Scribd
Upload
31 views

L05 Notes Basic Mathematics

The document discusses slope and how it relates to linear and nonlinear (curved) relationships between variables. Slope is defined as the ratio of the vertical to horizontal change between two points on a line. For linear relationships, the slope is constant, while for curved relationships the slope can change depending on the point. Slope indicates whether the variables increase or decrease together and can be positive, negative, or zero.

Uploaded by

agrawalayush040
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
31 views

L05 Notes Basic Mathematics

The document discusses slope and how it relates to linear and nonlinear (curved) relationships between variables. Slope is defined as the ratio of the vertical to horizontal change between two points on a line. For linear relationships, the slope is constant, while for curved relationships the slope can change depending on the point. Slope indicates whether the variables increase or decrease together and can be positive, negative, or zero.

Uploaded by

agrawalayush040
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

Corporate Office: A-1/169, Main Najafgarh Road, Janakpuri

New Delhi-110058 Phone: 011-41024601-05


E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.targetpmt.in

LECTURE - 5
SLOPE

When there is a linear relationship between x and y, then y – x graph is a straight line.

e.g. 3 x  4 y  7 is a linear equation in x and y and y – x graph plotted for this equation is a straight
line.

The tan ratio of angle made by straight line with positive direction of x axis is known as slope of line,
i.e.


x

Figure (1)

e.g. in figure shown, slope of line = tan .

As tan  is +ve when 0 <  < 90°

and tan  is –ve when 90° <  < 180°

 a straight line if makes acute angle with +ve x axis, its slope is +ve but if it makes obtuse angle
with +ve x axis, its slope is –ve. e.g. In figure (1), slope of line is +ve and in figure (2), slope of line is
–ve.
2


x

Figure (2)

If line is plotted parallel to x axis, slope is zero. If line is parallel to y axis, slope is infinite. e.g. slope
is zero for the line shown in figure (3) and slope is infinite for the line shown in figure (4).

y y

x x
Figure (3) Figure (4)
3

How to find slope

y2

y2 – y1

y1 
x2 – x1


x
x1 x2

If any two points having coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are taken on the line as shown, then

y 2  y1 y
tan   
x2  x1 x

 x  change in x

y  change in y

Slope explains the rate of change of y with respect to x.

+ve slope  If x is increased, y also increases and if x is decreased, y also decreases.

 If x is +ve, y is also +ve.

–ve slope  If x is increased, y decreases and if x is decreased, y increases.

 If x is +ve, y is –ve.

y = mx + c is the general equation of a straight line in which,

m  slope of line

c  Intercept of line on y-axis


4

Slope for any curve: If y – x is not a linear function, then y – x graph will not be a straight line but will
be some curve as shown.

There can be various shapes of curve. The relation between y and x decide the shape of a curve. As
curve is not a straight line, so its angle with x axis cannot be defined, so slope for a curve is not defined,
although slope for a curve at some point on curve is defined.

Slope of curve at any point on it is defined as slope of tangent to the curve at that point, e.g.

y
This straight line is tangent
to curve at A. tan  is slope
of tangent. So tan  is slope
of curve at A.


x
5

Curve shows increase of slope


with increase in x and slope is
+ve throughout

Curve shows decrease of slope


with increase in x and slope is
+ve throughout

x
6

Curve shows increase of slope


with increase in x but slope
throughout is –ve

Curve shows decrease of slope


with increase in x but slope
throughout is –ve

x
7

In the graph shown, slope of curve


is +ve and decreasing in the part
OA and slope of curve is –ve and
increasing in the part AB
A

x
O B



You might also like