THE CARTESIAN Gradient of a Straight Line

Done by: Mr. Jovaine Richards

PLANE Teacher in Training
 WHAT IS THE CARTESIAN
PLANE?
The Cartesian Plane is sometimes referred to as the x-y plane or the coordinate
plane and is used to plot data pairs on a two-line graph.

Cartesian planes are formed by two perpendicular number lines intersecting.

The position of any point on the Cartesian plane is described by using 2 numbers
(x, y).
X is the horizontal position of the point from the origin
Y is the vertical position of the point from the origin
 CONT’D
Another name for the X-coordinate is the ABSCISSA

Another name for the Y-coordinate is the ORDINATE

 WHAT IS GRADIENT?
Gradient is the steepness or the slope of a line.

The letter ‘m’ is usually used to represent gradient.

The gradient can be found by 3 different ways.

#1
#2
 #3
The Equation of a Straight Line

Y=mx+c

m= gradient
c= y-intercept
 FINDING Y-INTERCEPT
In order to find the y-intercept:
1. We need to find the gradient of the given slope
2. Write down the formula of a straight line
3. Substitute the values into the formula using one pair of coordinates
4. Solve equation
 EXAMPLE
A(2,3) and B(5,4)
M=4-3 = 1
5-2 3
y=mx+c
4=1 (5)+c
3
 4*3=1/3(5)*3+c*3
 12= 5 +3c
 12-5 = 3c
 7/3= 3c/3
 7/3=c
 TRY THESE
Find the gradient and y-intercept of these:
1) A(2,2) & B(6,5)
2) P(-5,3) & Q(1,2)
3) A(1,2) & B(-5,-6)
LENGTH OF A STRAIGHT LINE
MIDPOINT OF A LINE
 PARALLEL AND
PERPENDICULAR
Parallel lines have the same gradient.

The gradient of the perpendicular line is the negative reciprocal of the other line.
 REFERENCE

Archie, C. (2014). Mathematics for Caribbean Examinations. Ian Randle Publishers.