Lines – Gradient – Demonstration

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Gradient of a Line : a number that describes how steep a line is

Mountain Hill
4 up 2 up
4 across 4 across

The mountain is twice as steep as the hill.

 𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 Rise
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=
𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑖𝑛 𝑥 Run
6

4
2 4
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=¿ ¿ 2
3
42 2

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
 𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 Rise
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=
𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑖𝑛 𝑥 Run
6

5
5
4 5
53 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=¿ ¿ 1
5
2

1 For every one the line goes across,

it goes up one.
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
 𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 Rise
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=
𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑖𝑛 𝑥 Run
6

5
3
6
4 6
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=¿ ¿ 2
3
3
2

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
 𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 Rise
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=
𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑖𝑛 𝑥 Run
6
1
5

4 3
3 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=¿ ¿ 3
3
1
2

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
 𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 Rise
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=
𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑖𝑛 𝑥 Run
6

4 2 1
4 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=¿ ¿
3
4 2
22
1 Often it is easier to keep
a gradient as a fraction.
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
 𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 Rise
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=
𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑖𝑛 𝑥 Run
6

4 −4
−4 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=¿ ¿ −4
3
1
2

1
1 A gradient is always
left to right.
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
 𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 Rise
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=
𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑖𝑛 𝑥 Run
6

4 −4
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=¿ ¿ −2
3
−4 2
2

1 When reading gradient,

0
2 choose places where the line
crosses the grid.
0 1 2 3 4 5
 𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 Rise
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=
𝐶h𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑖𝑛 𝑥 Run
6

4 −3
−3 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡=¿ ¿ −3
3
2
2

1
1
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
 5
What is the gradient of this line?

Which of these 3 methods

4
would you use?

Do they give different answers? 10 2

1
The gradient of a straight line is 2
always the same.
Gradients: Match the gradient with the line.
1
−
2

1 1
−
3
2

3
−2
1
2 2
1
3
4

Answers
Gradients: Match the gradient with the line. Gradients: Match the gradient with the line.
2 2
1 3 1 3
2 2
−2 −2
1 1
− −
2 2
3 3

1 1
1 1
4 − 4 −
3 3
1 2 1 2
Gradients: Match the gradient with the line. Gradients: Match the gradient with the line.
2 2
1 3 1 3
2 2
−2 −2
1 1
− −
2 2
3 3

1 1
1 1
4 − 4 −
3 3
1 2 1 2
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