13

Graphs (1)

CHAPTER

13.1 Real life graphs

Distancetime graphs
Yakub cycled from his home to his cousins
house.
On his way he waited for his sister before
continuing his journey.
He and his sister stayed at his cousins and
then they returned home.
Here is a distancetime graph showing Yakubs
complete journey.
The point, A, shows that Yakub left home at
12:30

20
18
D

16

14
12
Distance
from home 10
(km)
8

The straight line AB shows that Yakub cycles,

at a constant speed. He cycles 10 km in half
an hour. At this speed he would cycle 20 km in
1 hour.

B
C

6
4
2
F
0 A
12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00
Time of day

This is the same as saying that Yakub cycles at a constant speed of 20 kilometres per hour for the
first half hour of his journey.
10

total distance travelled

Average speed

total time taken

See Section 6.2

The first part of the graph shows

6
10 km
4

10 km
Yakubs constant speed

20 km/h
0.5 hour

On the distancetime graph this constant speed could be found by working

A
0
12:00 12:30 13:00
0.5 hour

vertical measurement (
10 km)

out 
horizontal measurement (
0.5 hour)
which is a measure of the steepness of the line AB.

The horizontal line BC shows that, for the second half hour of his journey, (from 13:00 to 13:30)
Yakub is not moving. He is still 10 km from home, waiting for his sister.
The line CD shows Yakub continues his journey to his cousins house. His cousins house is 16 km
from home. He cycles the remaining 6 km (16  10) in 1.5 hours (from 13:30 to 15:00). During this
part of the journey, Yakub cycles, at a constant speed. His speed is 4 kilometres per hour (6  1.5
4).
The horizontal line DE shows that, for one hour, (from 15:00 to 16:00) Yakub is not moving and is
still 16 km from home, at his cousins house.
The line EF shows the return journey home. He arrives back home at 17:00 having cycled 16 km in
1 hour at a constant speed. His speed on this final part of his journey is 16 kilometres per hour.
192

13.1 Real life graphs

CHAPTER 13

Example 1
Peter and Jane go to the seaside, a distance of 30 kilometres from their home.
Peter leaves home on his bicycle at 12:30 pm.
Jane leaves later on her scooter.
30

Jane

25
20
Distance
from home 15
(km)

Peter

10
5
0
12
noon

1 pm

2 pm

3 pm 4 pm
Time of day

5 pm

6 pm

The travel graphs show some information about their journeys.

a Peter takes a break on his journey.
i For how long does Peter take a break?
ii How far from the seaside is he when he takes his break?
b Peter cycles more quickly before the break than after it. Explain how the graph shows this.
c At what time does Jane leave home?
d Estimate the time at which Jane passes Peter?
e How many minutes before Peter does Jane arrive at the seaside?
f Estimate Janes speed in km/h.

Solution 1
a i 1 hour
ii 30  15
15 kilometres
b The line before the break is steeper
than the line after the break
c 3:30 pm
d about 3:55 pm

Horizontal line on the graph shows Peters

break from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

Find where the two graphs cross.

e 1 hour 45 minutes
105 minutes

From 4:15 pm to 6 pm.

f Jane travels 20 km in 12 hour

Her speed is 40 km/h

Find distance travelled in the half hour

from 3:30 pm to 4 pm.

193

Graphs (1)

CHAPTER 13

Velocitytime graphs
A velocitytime graph shows how velocity
changes with time.
When the velocity of a car increases
steadily it is said to accelerate with a
constant acceleration.

In general,
increase in velocity
constant acceleration

time taken

Example 2
A tram travels between two stations.
The diagram represents the velocitytime graph of the tram.

30
25
20
Velocity
(m/s) 15
10
5

a
b
c
d

20

40

60
80
Time (seconds)

100

Write down the maximum velocity of the tram.

Find the constant acceleration of the tram during the first 20 seconds of the journey.
For how many seconds did the tram have zero acceleration?
Describe the journey of the tram for the final 30 seconds.

Solution 2
a 30 m/s

Highest value of velocity taken from the graph.

30  0
b 
1.5
20  0

increase in velocity
Use constant acceleration

time taken

Constant acceleration
1.5 m/s2

c 90  20
70 seconds

d The tram slows down steadily (deceleration)

from a speed of 30 m/s and then finally
stops (velocity
0 m/s)
194

120

The units are m/s  s
m/s2

The tram has zero acceleration when the velocity
doesnt change. The green line represents this part
of the journey. From 20 seconds to 90 seconds
the velocity is a constant value of 30 m/s.
As the red line is straight, the velocity
decreases at a constant rate.

13.1 Real life graphs

CHAPTER 13

Example 3
The diagram shows a rectangular tank filling up with water.
The diagonal of the surface of the water is of length
d when the height of the water is h.

a Which of these three graphs describes the

relationship between d and h?
The water then leaks, at a
constant rate, from a hole
in the bottom of the tank.
b Sketch a graph which
describes the relationship
between the height of
the water h and time t.

Solution 3
a Graph A
b

Graph A

Graph B

Graph C

d does not change as the height, h, of the water increases.

Since water leaks out at a constant rate,
after each second the height decreases
by the same amount.

Height
when
empty O

Exercise 13A
1 The travel graph shows some
information about the flight of an
aeroplane from London to Rome
and back again.
a At what time did the aeroplane
arrive in Rome?
b For how long did the aeroplane
remain in Rome?
c How many hours did the flight
back take?
d Work out the average speed, in
kilometres per hour, of the
aeroplane from London to Rome.
e Estimate the distance of the
aeroplane from Rome
i at 12:30 ii at 15:12

h
Height
when full

Time taken to
empty the tank

1400
1200
1000
800
Distance
from London
(km)
600
400
200
0
11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00
Time of day

195

Graphs (1)

CHAPTER 13

2 Sangita cycles from Bury to the airport, a distance of 24 miles. The distancetime graph shows
some information about her journey.
25
a Sangita stops for lunch. For how
many minutes does she stop?
b Explain how the graph shows that
20
Sangita cycles more slowly after
lunch?
Distance 15
from Bury
c Work out Sangitas speed, in
(miles)
miles per hour, for the part of
10
her journey before lunch.
d Simon leaves the airport at 13:00
5
and travels at a steady speed to
Bury. He arrives in Bury at 13:45.
i On the resource sheet draw a
0
11:00
12:00
13:00
14:00
distancetime graph for
Time
of
day
Simons journey.
ii Use your graph to work out Simons speed.
iii Use your graph to estimate the time at which Simon and Sangita are at the same distance
from the airport.
3 Mr Jacobs leaves home at 10:15 am and drives 90 kilometres to see a customer. He drives at
90 km/h. Mr Jacobs stays with the customer for 45 minutes and then travels back home at 60 km/h.
a Show this information on a distancetime graph.
b At what time did Mr Jacobs arrive back home?
4 Ken sets off from home to go to his
3
office. On his way he remembers that
he has left his keys in the front door.
He returns home to collect them and
sets off for work again. The travel graph
2
shows information about his journey.
a At what time did Ken first set off?
Distance
from home
b How far is Kens office from his
(km)
home?
1
c How far had Ken gone before he
turned back?
d At what time did he arrive back
home to get his keys?
e How long did the complete journey
0
07:00
07:30
08:00
take?
Time of day
f Ken travelled more quickly after he
picked up his keys than before he turned back. Explain how the graph shows this.
g Work out the speed of Kens journey back home. Give your answer in km/h.
5 The diagram represents the
velocitytime graph of a van for a
journey of 12 seconds. Describe fully
this journey.

12
10
8
Velocity
(m/s) 6
4
2

196

4 6 8 10 12
Time (seconds)

08:30

13.2 Straight line graphs

CHAPTER 13

6 A train leaves a station and steadily accelerates to reach a speed of 30 m/s in 6 seconds.
a Work out the constant acceleration during these 6 seconds.
b The train continues at a constant speed of 30 m/s for 10 seconds. It then makes an emergency
stop coming to rest after a further 4 seconds. For this 20 second period, draw the
velocitytime graph for the train.
c Find the velocity of the train 2 seconds before it stops.
7 The diagrams show three containers filling up with water.

d is the diameter of the surface of the water when the height of the water is h.
These graphs each show a relationship between d and h.

a Match the graphs with the containers.

Water then leaks, at a constant rate, from a hole in the bottom
of one of the containers. The graph shows the relationship
between height h and the time t.
b Which container is leaking?

13.2 Straight line graphs

In the diagram,
all points through which the red vertical line
passes have an x-coordinate equal to 2

x
2 is called the equation of the line

all points through which the blue horizontal
line passes have a y-coordinate equal to 1.
y
1 is called the equation of this line.
The lines x
2 and y
1 intersect at the point
with coordinates (2, 1).
The x-coordinate of all points on the y-axis is 0.
x
0 is the equation of the y-axis.
The y-coordinate of all points on the x-axis is 0.
y
0 is the equation of the x-axis.

y
x
2
(2, 1)

5
4
3
2

y
1

1
5 4 3 2 1 O
1

5 x

2
3
4
5

197

Graphs (1)

CHAPTER 13
y

P(5, 5)

5
4

A(4, 4)

Q(3, 3)

B(1, 1)

C(2, 2)

D(5, 5)

4
3
2

6 5 4 3 2 1 O
1

1
4

6 x

6 5 4 3 2 1 O
1

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

5

R(1, 1)

6 x

S(4, 4)

6
Figure 2. y
x

6
Figure 1. y
x

Figure 1 shows a line drawn through the points

Figure 2 shows a line drawn through the points

A(4, 4) B(1, 1) C(2, 2) D(5, 5)

and O(0, 0) (the origin)

P(5, 5) Q(3, 3) R(1, 1) S(4, 4)

and O(0, 0) (the origin)

For each of these five points the y-coordinate

is equal to the x-coordinate. All other points
on this line also have the y-coordinate equal
to the x-coordinate.

For each of these five points the y-coordinate is

equal to minus the x-coordinate. For example,
for the point P the x-coordinate is 5 and the
y-coordinate is (5)
5. All other points on
this line also have y-coordinate equal to minus
the x-coordinate.

The equation of this line is y
x

The equation of this line is y
x

Example 4
a Find the equation of the line which passes through the points E(3, 6) F(1, 2) and H(2,  4).
b Find the equation of the line which passes through the points T(3, 9) U(2, 6) V(1, 3) and
W(3, 9).

Solution 4
a
2

E(3, 6)

2

F(1, 2)

2

10

H(2, 4)

3

T(3, 9)

3

U(2, 6)

3

V(1, 3)

198

E(3, 6)

4
2
3

W(3, 9)

For all points on this line the y-coordinate is

three times the x-coordinate, so the equation of
this line is y
3x.

U(2, 6)

For all points on this line the y-coordinate is

twice the x-coordinate, so the equation of this
line is y
2x.
b

T(3, 9)

F(1, 2)

3 2 1 O
1 2
2
V(1, 3)
H(2, 4)
4
6

W(3, 9)

8
10

3 x

13.2 Straight line graphs

CHAPTER 13

Example 5
Draw the graph of y
5x  4. Use values of x from x
1 to x = 4

Solution 5
y
5x  4
Substitute integer values of x from
x
1 to x
4 into y
5x  4
y
5  4  4
16
When x
4,
y
5  3  4
11
When x
3,
Alternatively these points can be found and shown
y
524
6
When x
2,
in a table of values
y
514
1
When x
1,
x
1
0
1
2
3
4
y
5  0  4
4
When x
0,
y
9 4
1
6
11
16
y
5  (1)  4
9
When x
1,
y
Plot each of the points
16
(4, 16) (3, 11) (2, 6)
y
5x  4
14
(1, 1) (0, 4) (1, 9)
12
and join them.
10
8
6
4
2
1O
2

4 x

4
6
8
10

All of the graphs of the equations considered so far have been straight-line graphs.
Straight-line graphs are also called linear graphs.
The equations have been of the form y
mx  c, where m and c are numbers.
( y
x, y
x, y
2x and y
3x are also equations of the form y
mx  c, where c
0)
To draw a straight-line graph only two points need to be plotted but it is safer to find and plot three
points.

Example 6
Draw the graph of y
2x  3 from x
3 to x
3

Solution 6
y
2x  3
When x
3, y
9

y
2x  3 is of the form y
mx  c

When x
3, y
3

Substitute x
3 and x
3 into y
2x  3

When x
0, y
3

so the graph will be a straight line.

Use another value of x as a check.

Plot each of the points (3, 9) (0, 3)
and (3, 3) and join them.

10
8
6
4

y
2x  3

2
3 2 1 O
2

3 x

4

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Graphs (1)

CHAPTER 13

Equations of the form x  y
k, where k is a number, also always give straight line graphs, since
x  y
k can be rearranged to give y
x  k which is of the form y
mx  c with m
1
To draw these straight-line graphs, tables of values are not necessary.

Example 7
Draw the graph of x  y
5

Solution 7
xy
5

x  y
5 is of the form x  y
k so the

graph will be a straight line.

When x
0, y
5
When y
0, x
5

Substitute x
0 and y
0 into x  y
5

When x
2, y
3

Use another value of x as a check.

y
8

Plot each of the points (0, 5) (5, 0)

and (2, 3) and join them.

7
6
5 (0, 5)

xy
5

(2, 3)

3
2
1
2 1 O
1

(5, 0)
1

6 x

Exercise 13B
1 Write down the equation of the lines through these points.
a (4, 3) and (4, 1)
b (0, 8) and (0, 3)

c (1, 8) and (7, 8)

2 a Plot the points (2, 4) (0, 0) (1, 2) and (3, 6) and join them with a straight line.
b Find the equation of the line.
3 a Draw the graph of y = 5  2x. Use values of x from 2 to 4
b Write down the coordinates of the point where your graph crosses
i the y-axis, ii the x-axis.
c Use your graph to find the value of x when y
6
Draw the graph of y
4x  7. Use values of x from 0 to 5
Write down the coordinates of the point where your graph crosses the y-axis.
Estimate and write down the x-coordinate of the point where your graph crosses the x-axis.
i On the same axes, draw the graph of x
2.5
ii Write down the coordinates of the point where the two graphs cross.
e i On the same axes, draw the graph of y
5
ii Write down the coordinates of the point where the graph of y
5 crosses the graph of
y
4x  7

4 a
b
c
d

200

13.3 Solving simultaneous equations graphically

CHAPTER 13

5 a Draw the graph of y
2  x. Use values of x from x
3 to x
4

b The point with coordinates (k, 3.5) lies on the graph of y
2  x.
Use your graph to find the value of k.
6 a On the same axes, draw the graphs of
ii x  y
7
iii x  y
10
i xy
2
v x  y
10
vi x  y
8
iv x  y
13
b What do you notice about the six graphs you have drawn?
7 The diagram shows the graphs of three straight lines.
E

y
15
10

15

10

5

10

15 x

5
F

10
15

Write down the equation of these lines.

b CD,
c EF.
a AB,

13.3 Solving simultaneous equations graphically

In Section 10.4 simultaneous equations are solved algebraically.
Simultaneous equations can also be solved by using graphs.
The diagram shows the graphs of the lines

xy
5

x  y
5 and y
x  1

The graphs cross at the point P(2, 3).

The solution of the simultaneous equations

xy
5
y
x1

P(2, 3)

P is the only point that lies on both lines.

So the coordinates of P(2, 3) satisfy both
equations.
The x-coordinate of P is 2 and the
y-coordinate of P is 3

y
5

2
1
5 4 3 2 1 O
1

5 x

2

y
x1

3
4
5

is x
2, y
3
Check: 2  3
5 
3
21 

You solved these simultaneous equations algebraically

in Chapter 10, Exercise 10D, question 6.

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CHAPTER 13

Example 8
Find graphically the solution of the simultaneous equations

x  y
2
y
x 4
Solution 8
For x + y = 2: when x
0, y
2
when y
0, x
2

Find and plot the points where the line

x  y
2 crosses the axes.

For y = x  4: when x
0, y
4
when x
1, y
3
when x
2, y
2

Find and plot any three points on the

line y
x  4

y
5
4

x  y
2

3
2

y
x4

1
5 4 3 2 1 O
1

5 x

2

P(1, 3)

3
4
5

x
1, y
3

Find the coordinates of the point where

the lines cross
Check: 1  3
2 
3
1  4 

Exercise 13C
1 The diagrams show six lines labelled L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 and L6.
L1

y
5

L2

L4

y
5

L3

5 4 3 2 1O
1

1 2 3 4 5 x

5 4 3 2 1O
1

1 2 3 4 5 x

5 4 3 2 1O
1

2

2

2

3

3

3

4

4

4

5

5

5

a Match three lines to these equations.

ii x  y
4
iii y
4x  5
i y
x1
b Use the diagrams to solve these simultaneous equations.
ii x  y
4
iii y
x  2
i xy
3
y
x1
y
3x  4
y
4x  5
202

L5
L6

1 2 3 4 5 x

13.4 The equation y
mx  c

CHAPTER 13

For each of Questions 26 draw two linear graphs on the same grid (each axis scaled from 5 to 5)
to solve the simultaneous equations.
3 y
x2
4 xy
1
2 xy
0
y
x2
y
2x
y
2x  1
5 y
x1
y
2x  4

6 y
2x  5
xy
4

13.4 The equation y
mx  c

The diagram shows the lines with equations

y
x3

y
x
y
x1
y
x3
y
x2

y
x

5
4
3
2

The four lines are parallel. They cross the y-axis

at different points (called y-intercepts).
The y-intercept of a line is the value of y
when x
0
y
x (or y = x  0) has y-intercept 0
y
x  1 has y-intercept 1
y
x  3 has y-intercept 3
y
x  2 has y-intercept 2

1
5 4 3 2 1 O
1

5 x

2
3

y
x1

4

y
x2

5

In general,
the line y
mx  c has y-intercept c, since it crosses the y-axis at (0, c).
y
3x  2

y
2x  1

4
2

y
2x  3

1
4 3 2 1 O
1

y
3x  5

y
3x  3

6 x

5 4 3 2 1 O
1

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

5

6

6

This diagram shows the lines with equations

y
3x  3
y
3x  2
and y
3x  5
The intercepts on the y-axis are
3, 2 and 5
The three lines are parallel.
In the equation of each line,
the x term includes the number 3

y
2x  4

6 x

This diagram shows the lines with equations

y
2x  3
y
2x  1
and y
2x  4
The intercepts on the y-axis are
3, 1 and 4
The three lines are parallel.
In the equation of each line,
the x term includes the number 2
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Graphs (1)

CHAPTER 13

For different numbers in the x term, the slopes of the lines are different.
For example the line y
3x is steeper than the line y
2x.
y
2x  1

y
2x  1

4
3

4 units
1 unit

3 2 1 O
1

3 x

2

This diagram shows the line y
2x  1

A and B are two points on the line.
The steepness of the slope of this line can be
measured by dividing the vertical distance by
the horizontal distance.
vertical distance
2 units


2
horizontal distance
1 unit

3
2

2 units

3 2 1 O
1 2
1
D
2 units
2

3 x

This diagram shows the line y
2x  1

C and D are two points on the line.
The steepness of the slope of this line can be
measured by dividing the vertical distance by
the horizontal distance.
vertical distance
4 units


2
horizontal distance
2 units

The steepness of the two lines appears to be the same (
2) but the slopes of the two lines clearly
look different; from the bottom point on the line, the first line slopes to the right and the second line
slopes to the left.
A line that slopes to the right, /, is said to have positive slope.
A line that slopes to the left, \ , is said to have negative slope.
So,
and

the slope of the line y
2x  1 is 2

the slope of the line y
2x  1 is 2

The slope of a line is called the gradient of the line.

The gradient of the line y
2x  1 is 2
The gradient of the line y
2x  1 is 2
In general,
for a line with the equation y
mx  c, the gradient of the line is the value of m.

Example 9
a Find the equation of the line which has gradient 6 and crosses the y-axis at the point (0, 4).
b Find the coordinates of the point where the line crosses the x-axis.

Solution 9
a Gradient, m
6
y-intercept, c
4
Equation of line is y
6x  (4)
y
6x  4

204

y
mx  c is the equation
of a line with gradient m
and y-intercept c
Substitute m
6 and
c
4 in y
mx  c

13.4 The equation y
mx  c

CHAPTER 13

b When y
0, 0
6x  4

Points on the x-axis have y-coordinate
0

Substitute y
0 in y
6x  4

6x
4

4
2
so x


63 3

Add 4 to both sides of the

equation, then divide by 6

y
6x  4

The line y
6x  4 crosses the x-axis at the point (23, 0)

3
2
1
5 4 3 2 1 O
1

1 2
6

5 x

2
3
4
5

Example 10
a Find the gradient and the y-intercept of the line with equation 2y  6x
3
b Use your answer to part a to draw the graph of 2y  6x
3

Solution 10
a 2y  6x
3

Rearrange the equation 2y  6x
3 in the form y
mx  c

2y
6x  3
y
3x  1.5

Add 6x to both sides

Divide both sides by 2

m
3 and c
1.5
Gradient
3
y-intercept
1.5

Compare y
3x  1.5 with y
mx  c

A gradient of 3 means for every 1 unit to the right

move up 3 units.

y
5

(1, 4.5)

4
3

Starting at the marked point (0, 1.5) move 1 unit to

the right then 3 units up then mark the point (1, 4.5)

3 units

Draw a line through these two points.

y intercept

1.5

1 1 unit

5 4 3 2 1 O
1

5 x

2

Exercise 13D
In Questions 15 for each of the lines
a write down i the gradient ii the y-intercept and b sketch the line.
1 y
2x  3

2 y
x5

3 y
3x

2
4 y
x  1
3

5 y
8  3x

In Questions 6-10 find a the gradient and b the y-intercept of lines with these equations.
6 2y
6x  1
9 3y  2x
12

7 x  y
12

8 y
2(3x  2)

10 2x  y  4
0
205

Graphs (1)

CHAPTER 13

11 A line passes through the point (0, 5) and has gradient 7. Find the equation of the line.
12 Find the equations of the lines A, B, C and D.
y

5
4
B

3
2
1
5 4 3 2 1 O
1

5 x

2
3
4
5

13.5 Further uses of y
mx  c

Parallel lines
Parallel lines have equal gradients.
For example,
the three lines y
3x  3, y
3x  2 and y
3x  5 are parallel since m
3 in each case.

Perpendicular lines
y
m
1 5

y
m
 32 5

m
 12

5 4 3 2 1O
1

m
1

1 2 3 4 5 x

5 4 3 2 1O
1

2

2

3

3

4
5

m
2

1 2 3 4 5 x

5 4 3 2 1O
1

4

2

m

5

3

3
1 32 3 4 5 x

4
5

The diagrams show three pairs of perpendicular lines (lines which cross at 90).

1  1
1

The blue lines have positive gradients.

1
  2
1
2
3 2
  
1
2 3

The red lines have negative gradients.

Multiplying the gradients for each pair of perpendicular lines gives 1
Two lines are perpendicular if the product of their gradients is 1
1
If a line has gradient m, all lines perpendicular to it have gradient 
m
206

2
3

13.5 Further uses of y
mx  c

CHAPTER 13

Example 11
The equations of three lines are y
2x  1, y
2x  3, 2y  x
4
Two of these lines are perpendicular.
a Find the equations of the two perpendicular lines.
b Are any of these lines parallel? Give a reason for your answer.

Solution 11
a
2y  x
4

To find the gradient of each line write

them all in the form y
mx  c

so

2y
4  x

Subtract x from both sides.

4 x
so y
  
2 2
1
y
x  2
2

Divide both sides by 2

Write the RHS in form mx  c

The gradient of y
2x  1 is 2
The gradient of y
2x  3 is 2
The gradient of 2y  x
4

Compare each equation with y
mx  c and

read off the value of m for the gradient.

1
1
or y
x  2 is 
2
2
1
Since   2
1, the two perpendicular lines are
2
2y  x
4 and y
2x  1

1
b Since the gradients 2, 2 and  of the lines are
2

Lines are perpendicular if the product

of their gradients is 1

Parallel lines have equal gradients.

all different, the lines are not parallel.

Example 12
Find the gradient of all lines which are a parallel b perpendicular to the line with equation 4y  8x
3

Solution 12
a

Write 4y  8x
3 in the form y
mx  c

Write 4y  8x
3 so 4y
3  8x
3 8x
so y
  
4
4
3
y
2x  
4
The gradient of 4y  8x
3 or
3
y
2x   is 2
4
Lines parallel to 4y  8x
3 have
gradient
2
b Lines perpendicular to 4y  8x
3
1
1
have gradient


2 2

Subtract 8x from both sides.

Divide both sides by 4
Write the RHS in form mx  c
Compare with y
mx  c and read off
the value of m for the gradient.

Parallel lines have equal gradients.

1
If a line has gradient m, lines perpendicular to it have gradient 

207

Graphs (1)

CHAPTER 13

Example 13
Find an equation of the line which passes through the point
(2, 1), and is parallel to the line with equation y
2x  5

Solution 13
y
2x  5 has gradient
2

Since y
2x and 2y
4x are examples of

two equations for the same line,
sometimes exam questions ask you to find
an equation rather than the equation.

5
4

The gradient of any parallel line

is 2
and has an equation in the form
y
2x  c

Parallel lines have equal gradients.

(2, 1) is a point on y
2x  c

so 1
2(2)  c
1
4c

A line passes through a point if

the coordinates of the point
satisfy the equation of the line.

so

Compare with y
mx  c and

read off the value of m

y
2x  5

3
2

Use y
mx  c

(2, 1)

5 4 3 2 1 O
1

5 x

2
3

c
3

y
2x  3

4

An equation of the line is

Substitute c
3 in y
2x  c
y
2x  3
You could write this equation in many other forms.
For example, y  2x  3
0 or 2y  4x
6

5

Example 14
Find the equation of the line which passes through the point (3, 2) and is perpendicular to the line
with equation 2y
3x  4

Solution 14
2y
3x  4
3x  4
3
so y
 or y
x  2
2
2
3
3
The gradient of y
x  2 is 
2
2
The gradient of the perpendicular
1
2
is  

3
3

2
and has an equation in the form
2
y
x  c
3
2
(3, 2) is a point on y
x  c
3
2
so 2
(3)  c
3
2
2  c means c
0
The equation of the line is
2
y
x
3
208

Write 2y
3x  4 in
the form y
mx  c
Divide both sides by 2
Compare with y
mx  c and read
off the value of m for the gradient.

5
4
(3, 2)

y
32 x  2

3
2
1

If a line has gradient m, lines

perpendicular to it have
1
gradient 

Use y
mx  c

5 4 3 2 1 O
1

2
Substitute c
0 in y
x  c
3

2
3
4
5

A line passes through a point if

the coordinates of the point
satisfy the equation of the line.

y
 23 x

5 x

13.5 Further uses of y
mx  c

CHAPTER 13

Example 15
Find the equation of the line which joins the points (3, 4) and (3, 1).

Solution 15
Find the gradient, m, of the line
joining (3, 4) and (3, 1)

(3, 4)

The line slopes \ so has

negative gradient.

(3, 1)
6

Vertical distance
4  1
3
Horizontal distance

3  (3)
6

y
5

(3, 4)

3
1
Gradient, m


6
2
1
y
x  c
2
1
(3, 1) is a point on y
x  c
2
so

1
1.5  c
2.5
c

1
y
x  2.5
2

4
3

y


1
2x

 2.5

Use y
mx  c
Substitute x
3, y
1 into
the equation
1
y
x  c to find c
2

(3, 1)

1
5 4 3 2 1 O
1

5 x

2
3
4

1
Substitute c
2.5 in y
x  c
2

The equation of the line joining (3, 4) and (3, 1) is

1
y
x  2.5
2

Exercise 13E
In Questions 13 find the equation of the line which passes through the point A and has the given
gradient.
1
2 A (2, 3) gradient 2
3 A (4, 2) gradient 
1 A (0, 1) gradient 3
2
In Questions 46 find an equation of the line which passes through the point P and is parallel to the
line L.
4 P (0, 2) L is y
3x

5 P (3, 2) L is y
3  x

6 P (4, 3) L is 2y
3x  4

In Questions 79 find the equation of the line which passes through the point Q and is
perpendicular to the line M.
1
7 Q (1, 0) M is y
x  3
2

8 Q (3, 2) M is y
x  1

9 Q (2, 1) M is 4y
8x  1
In Questions 1012 find the equation of the line which joins the given points.
10 (1, 2) and (3, 4)

11 (3, 5) and (0, 4)

12 (4, 1) and (2, 4)

209

Graphs (1)

CHAPTER 13

13 A is the point (1, 3), B is the point (4, 3) and C is the point (1, 2).
Find the equation of the line which passes through the point C and is parallel to the line joining
the points A and B.
A(2, 6)

14

y
 12 x  7
B
D

ABCD is a square. A is the point (2, 6). C is the point (4, 0).
The equation of the straight line through
1
A and B is y
x  7
2
a Find the equation of the straight line through D and C
b Find the equation of the straight line through B and C
c Find the equation of the diagonal AC.

C(4, 0)

Chapter summary
You should now be able to use the fact:

that the coordinates of the point where two linear graphs cross gives the solution to that pair
of simultaneous equations

that the equation of a straight line written in the form y
mx  c, where m and c are
numbers, has
y-intercept c, since the line crosses the y-axis at (0, c)
and gradient m

that parallel lines have equal gradients

that two lines are perpendicular if the product of their gradients is 1

that, for a line with gradient m,

all lines parallel to it have gradient m

1
all lines perpendicular to it have gradient 
m
You should also be able to:

draw and interpret distancetime graphs, recognising that:

straight lines represent constant speed
horizontal lines represent no movement

draw and interpret velocitytime graphs, recognising that:

a velocitytime graph shows how velocity changes with time
straight lines represent constant acceleration
increase in velocity
constant acceleration

time taken
horizontal lines represent constant velocity

recognise the equations of vertical and horizontal lines, for example knowing that:
x
5 is the equation of the vertical line passing through the point (5, 0) on the x-axis
y
3 is the equation of the horizontal line passing through the point (0, 3) on the y-axis

210

Chapter 13 review questions

recognise the graphs of equations y
x and y
x

draw a straight-line graph from a given equation and given values of x by

CHAPTER 13

plotting three points

joining the points with a straight line

draw a straight-line graph from an equation in the form x  y
constant by

plotting the points where the line crosses the x-axis and the y-axis
joining these points with a straight line
for example, x  y
2 crosses the axes at (0, 2) and (2, 0)

Chapter 13 review questions

1 Anil cycled from his home to the park. Anil waited in the park.
Then he cycled back home.
Here is a distancetime graph for Anils complete journey.
8
6
Distance
from home
4
(km)
2
0
09:00 09:10 09:20 09:30 09:40 09:50 10:00 10:10
Time of day

a
b
c
d

At what time did Anil leave home?

What is the distance from Anils home to the park?
How many minutes did Anil wait in the park?
Work out Anils average speed on his journey home. Give your answer in kilometres per hour.
(1387 June 2004)

2 A car is travelling at a constant velocity of 15 m/s. It steadily accelerates at 5 m/s2 for 4 seconds.
It then continues at a constant velocity for a further 12 seconds. The car then brakes and comes
to rest with a steady deceleration of 7 m/s2.
a Work out the constant velocity during this period.
b Draw the velocitytime graph for the car.
c Find the time taken from the car starting to accelerate to it coming to rest.
3 The point T is (2, 3).
a Write down the equation of the horizontal line through T.
b Write down the equation of the vertical line through T.
4 Write down the equations of the lines through these points.
a (4, 0) and (4, 0)
b (7, 8) and (7, 8)
211

Graphs (1)

CHAPTER 13

5 a On the same axes, draw the graphs of i x  y
10

b Hence solve the simultaneous equations x  y
10
y
3x

ii y
3x

6 a Draw the graph of y
6  2x. Use values of x from 1 to 5

b Write down the coordinates of the point where your graph crosses
i the y-axis ii the x-axis.
c Use your graph to find the value of x when y
5
7 The diagram shows 4 straight lines, labelled P, Q, R and S.
The equations of the straight lines are
A: y
2x
B: y
3  2x
C: y
2x  3
D: y
3
Match each straight line, P, Q, R and S to its equation.

(1388 March 2004)

O
R

8 A straight line has equation y
2(3  4x)

Find the gradient of the straight line.
9 A straight line, L, has equation 3y
5x  6
Find i the gradient of L,
ii the y-coordinate of the point where L cuts the y-axis.
10 Find the gradient of the straight line with equation 5y
3  2x.

(1388 June 2004)

(1388 Mock)
(1388 March 2003)

11 A straight line has equation 2y  6x
5

a Find the gradient of the line.
The point (k, 6) lies on the line.
b Find the value of k.
12 The straight line L1 has equation y
2x  3
The straight line L2 is parallel to the straight line L1.
The straight line L2 passes through the point (3, 2).
Find an equation of the straight line L2.

(1388 January 2004)

(1387 November 2004)

13 A straight line, L, passes through the point with coordinates (4, 7) and is perpendicular to the line
with equation y
2x  3
(1387 November 2003)
Find an equation of the straight line L.
14 A straight line passes through the points (0, 5) and (3, 17).
Find the equation of the straight line.

212

(1388 January 2005)

Chapter 13 review questions

CHAPTER 13

15 ABCD is a rectangle. A is the point (0, 1). C is the point (0, 6).
The equation of the straight line through A and B is y
2x  1
y
6 C
Diagram NOT
accurately drawn

B
D

1 A

a Find the equation of the straight line through D and C.

b Find the equation of the straight line through B and C.

(1388 June 2004)

16 The diagram shows two straight lines intersecting at point A.

The equations of the lines are y
4x  8 and y
2x  3
Work out the coordinates of A.
y

Diagram NOT
accurately drawn

y
4x  8

y
2x  3
A
(1388 March 2005)

17 The diagram shows three points A (1, 5), B (2, 1) and C (0, 5).
The line L is parallel to AB and passes through C.
a Find the equation of the line L.
The line M is perpendicular to AB and passes through (0, 0).
b Find the equation of the line M.
y
L

C (0, 5)

A (1, 5)

Diagram NOT
accurately drawn
(1388 June 2005)

x
B (2, 1)

213