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Real-life graphs

We often use graphs to illustrate

real-life situations.

Instead of plotting y-values against

x-values, we plot one physical quantity
against another physical quantity.

The resulting graph shows the rate that

one quantity changes with another.

Can you think of any graphs that you have seen that
are used to represent real-life situations?
What quantities did these graphs use on their x-axis
and the y-axis? Why?

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Pounds and dollars

This graph shows the exchange rate from

British pounds to American dollars.

It is a straight line graph that passes

through the origin.

The equation of the line would be of the

form: y = mx.

In this graph, what does the value of m represent?

Using the graph, can you calculate how many dollars
you would get if you had £150 to exchange?

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Investing in the future

This graph show the value of an

investment as it gains interest

investment value
cumulatively over time.
The graph increases by
increasing amounts.

Each time interest is

added, it is calculated on
an ever greater amount. time
This makes a small difference at first, but as time goes on it
makes a much greater difference.
This is an example of an exponential increase.

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A growing baby

This graph shows the mass

of a newborn baby over the
first month from birth.

What was the mass of

the baby when it was
first born?
What is the baby’s
mass at the end of the
first month?

Use the information given to describe the graph in detail.

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Rates of change

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Filling flasks

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Speed, distance and time

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Distance – time graphs

One Sunday afternoon, John takes his

car to visit a friend.
John drives at a constant speed for
30 minutes until he reaches his
friend’s house 20 miles away.
He stays at his friend’s house for 45 minutes.
He drives home at a constant speed and arrives home 45
minutes later.

Can you draw a graph to represent John’s journey?

What quantity will you put on the x-axis? What quantity
will you put on the y-axis? Why?

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John’s journey

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Finding speed

From our speed, distance,

time triangle, we know that
speed is calculated by change

distance
dividing distance by time. in
distance
How do we calculate
speed from a change in time
distance – time graph?
time
change in distance
gradient = = speed
change in time

What does a zero gradient mean for the object’s speed?

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Interpreting distance – time graphs

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Distance – time graphs

When a distance – time graph is linear, the objects involved

are moving at a constant speed.
Most real-life objects do not behave like this.
They are far more likely to speed up and
slow down during a journey.
Increase in speed over time is called acceleration.
change in speed
acceleration =
time
It is measured in metres per second per second or m/s2.
A decrease in speed over time is called deceleration.

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Acceleration and deceleration

Distance – time graphs that show acceleration or deceleration

have a curved appearance to them.

distance
This distance – time graph shows an
object accelerating from rest before
continuing at a constant speed.

time
distance

This distance-time graph shows an

object decelerating from a constant
speed before coming to rest.

time

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Speed – time graphs

Travel graphs can be used to show change in speed over time.

This graph shows a car accelerating steadily from rest to
a speed of 20 m/s.
It then continues at
a constant speed
for 15 seconds.
The brakes are then
applied and it
decelerates steadily
to a stop.
How would you calculate the acceleration and
deceleration of the car?

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Acceleration from speed – time graphs

Acceleration is calculated
by dividing speed by time.

speed
In a speed – time graph, this change
is the gradient of the graph. in
speed
How do we calculate
acceleration from a change in time
speed – time graph?
time

change in speed
gradient = = acceleration
change in time

A negative gradient means that the object is decelerating.

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Distance from speed – time graphs

The following speed – time graph shows a car driving at a

constant speed of 20 m/s for 2 minutes.

What is the area

under the graph?

Area under graph

= 20 × 120
= 240

What does this

amount
correspond to?

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The area under a speed – time graph

This speed – time graph shows a car accelerating, travelling

at a constant speed and then decelerating to a stop.

What distance has the car travelled? Show your working.

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How far have they gone?

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Interpreting speed – time graphs

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What’s the temperature?

Frank has been asked to draw a graph that illustrates the

temperature relationship between °F and °C.
Frank records the following information from his research.

Temp (°C) 0 20 40 60 80 100

Temp (°F) 32 68 104 140 176 212

What is the temperature in °F when it is 70°C?

What is the gradient of the graph when °F is plotted on
the vertical axis?
Can you find a way to express the relationship between
°F and °C?

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A good deal?

Theo is looking for a new mobile phone and has seen the
model he wants advertised on two different tariffs.

12 month contract: PAYG

£9.99 a month £40 for handset
FREE handset and texts! FREE texts
Calls only Calls only
10 p per minute! 5 p per minute!

Which tariff is better value if Theo makes 200 minutes

of calls in the first month? Show your working.
At what stage in the first month does the monthly
contract cost more than the PAYG phone?

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Mobile graph

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