Calculating the Gradient and Equation

Level 7
of Straight Lines 20/02/2020

Learning Objectives:

• Able to calculate the gradient given two

co-ordinates

• Able to calculate the gradient of a line from a

graph

• Able to determine the equation of a straight

line
 Straight Lines
• All straight lines take the form y = mx + c

– Where m is the gradient

– c is the y-intercept
 The Gradient, m
• The gradient is a value that represents the
steepness of a line

• A positive number indicates a line that slopes

upwards

• A negative number indicates a line that slopes

downwards
 Calculating the Gradient
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦
• The gradient is said to be equal to
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑥

• To calculate it, you need any two co-ordinates on the

line (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 )

𝑦1 −𝑦2
• The gradient, m =
𝑥1 −𝑥2

• NB: It doesn’t matter which way round you subtract

the two y and x co-ordinates, but you must do the
same to the top and bottom
 Calculating the Gradient
• Example: Calculate the gradient between the
points (3, 5) and (5, 11)
11−5 5−11
m= m=
5−3 3−5

6 −6
m= m=
2 −2

m=3 m=3
 Calculating the Gradient
• Calculate the gradient between the points
(3, 1) and (6, -11)
−11−1 1−−11
m= m=
6−3 3−6

−12 12
m= m=
3 −3

m = -4 m = -4
 Calculating the Gradient
• Calculate the gradient between the following
points:

a) (1, 4) and (4, 19) m=5

b) (3, 9) and (5, 5) m = -2

c) (-3, 4) and (-1, 18) m=7

d) (0, 4) and (6, 6) 1

m=
3
Calculating the Equation of a Line
20
Draw a triangle on and note down
the change in the y co-ordinate and
15 x co-ordinate

10 3
m= =3
1
5
c = +3, therefore the equation
3 of this line is y = 3x + 3
0
1
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

-5
Calculating the Equation of a Line
20
−5
m = = −2.5
15
2
c = +10, therefore the
equation of this line is
10 y = -2.5x + 10

-5
0
-2 -1 0 1 2 23 4 5 6

-5
Calculating the Equation of a Line
20

1
m=
15 4
c = +5, therefore the equation
𝟏
of this line is y = x + 5
10 𝟒

5 1
4
0
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

-5
 Calculating the Equation of a Line
• Calculate the equations of the lines on the
sheet.

• You may draw on the sheet then stick it into

your workbooks