• On boards, draw a set of axes from -5 to 5 in both the x and y directions

• In your pairs, label yourselves A and B

• Person A needs to draw a line graph on their axes without showing

person B

• Now person A describes the line graph to person B, who draws the
graph from the description

• Once done, check that the two graphs match

• If they do, sketch the graph and description given on a piece of square
paper

• If they don’t, as a pair work out what went wrong, and sketch the
correct graph with a correct description on a piece of square paper

• Repeat the process, swapping roles.

What information do we need to
describe a line accurately?
 The y-intercept and the gradient

Objective: To recognise and use the y-intercept

and the gradient of a graph.
Find the gradient and y-intercept of the straight-line graph.

(4,6)

(0,-2)
4
Find the gradient and y-intercept of the straight-line graph.

18
(-9,5)

-6

(9,-1)
 In your own words,
write down a definition
of the y-intercept and
the gradient
The y-intercept of a graph is the value of y when . It is the
point where the graph crosses the y-axis

The gradient of a graph is a measure of the slope of the

graph. It is given by:

If the line slopes up from left to right, then the gradient

is positive.

If the line slopes down from left to right, then the

gradient is negative.
• On boards, draw a set of axes from -5 to 5 in both the x and y directions

• In your pairs, label yourselves A and B

• Person A needs to draw a line graph on their axes without showing

person B

• Now person A describes the line graph to person B, who draws the
graph from the description

• Once done, check that the two graphs match

• If they do, sketch the graph and description given on a piece of square
paper

• If they don’t, as a pair work out what went wrong, and sketch the
correct graph with a correct description on a piece of square paper

• Repeat the process, swapping roles.

Draw two parallel lines.

What do you notice about the gradient

and y-intercept of these lines?

Is this always true?

Draw two perpendicular lines.

What do you notice about the gradient of

these lines?

Is this always true?