:Part Two

85 g
94 ga
3
13 ag
graph functions
00 H
01 ek
r
ta

185
 ta
r
01 ek
00 H

186
13 ag
94 ga
85 g
3
 Straight line graphs

Introduction to graphs

A graph is a pictorial representation of information showing

how one quantity varies with another related quantity.

The most common method of showing a relationship between

85 g
wo sets of data is to use Cartesian or rectangular axes as shown in

94 ga
Fig.

3
13 ag
B ( -4 , 3 )
00 H

A(3,2)
01 ek
r
ta

C ( -3 , -2 )

187
 The straight line graph

Let a relationship between two variables x and y be y = 3x + 2.

When x = 0, y = 3(0) + 2 = 2.

When x = 1, y = 3(1) + 2 = 5.

When x = 2, y = 3(2) + 2 = 8, and so on.

85 g
Thus co-ordinates (0, 2), (1, 5) and (2, 8) have been produced from

94 ga
the equation by selecting arbitrary values of x, and are shown

3
plotted in Fig. When the points are joined together a straight-line
13 ag
graph results.
00 H
01 ek
r
ta

The gradient or slope of a straight line is the ratio of the change in

the value of y to the change in the value of x between any two
points on the line. If, as x increases, (→), y also increases (↑), then
the gradient is positive.
In Fig. the gradient of AC

188
change in y CB 7 − 3 4
= = = =2
change in x BA 3 − 1 2

85 g
94 ga
3
13 ag
00 H
01 ek
r
ta

If as x increases (→), y decreases (↓), then the gradient is negative.

In Fig., the gradient of DF

change in y EF 11 − 2
= =
change in x ED − 3 − 0

9
= = −3
−3

189
Example 1. Plot the following graphs on the same axes between
the range x = −4 to x = +4, and determine the gradient of each.

(a) y = x (b) y = x + 2 (c) y = x - 5

A table of co-ordinates is produced for each graph.

(a) y = x
x −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4

85 g
y −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4

94 ga
(b) y = x + 2

3
x −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4
13 ag
y −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

(c) y = x - 5
00 H

x −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4
y -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
01 ek
r

y=x+2
ta

y= x

y=x-5

190
Example 2. Plot the graph 3x + y + 1 = 0 and 2y − 5 = x on the
same axes and find their point of intersection.
Rearranging 3x + y + 1 = 0 gives y = −3x − 1
Rearranging 2y − 5 = x gives 2y = x + 5 and y = 1/2 x + 2 1/2
Since both equations are of the form y = mx + c both are straight
lines. Knowing an equation is a straight line means that only two co-
ordinates need to be plotted and a straight line drawn through them.

85 g
A third co-ordinate is usually determined to act as a check. A table
of values is produced for each equation as shown below.

94 ga
3
X 1 0 –1
13 ag
-3x - 1 –4 –1 2
00 H

X 2 0 -3
1/2 x + 2 1/2 3 1/2 2 1/2 1
01 ek

y=-3x-1
r

y=-1/2x + 2 1/2
ta

The two straight lines are seen to intersect at (−1, 2)

191
Graphical solution of equations

Graphical solution of equations

Graphical solution of simultaneous equations

85 g
Linear simultaneous equations in two unknowns may be
solved graphically by:

94 ga
3
(i) plotting the two straight lines on the same axes, and
13 ag
(ii) noting their point of intersection.

The co-ordinates of the point of intersection give the required

00 H

solution.
01 ek
r
ta

192
Example 1. Solve graphically the simultaneous equations
2x − y = 4
x+y=5

Rearranging each equation into y = mx + c form gives:

y = 2x − 4 (1)

85 g
y = −x + 5 (2)

94 ga
Only three co-ordinates need be calculated for each graph since
both are straight lines.

3
x 0 1 2
13 ag
y = 2x – 4 –4 –2 0
00 H

x 0 1 2
y = –x +5 5 4 3
01 ek
r
ta

y= -3x-1 y= 2x - 4

193
Example 2. Solve graphically the
equations
1.20x + y = 1.80
x − 5.0y =8.50
Rearranging each equation into y = mx + c form gives:
y = −1.20x + 1.80 (1)
x 8.5
−
y = 5.0 5.0 i.e. y = 0.20x − 1.70

85 g
(2)
Three co-ordinates are calculated for each equation as shown

94 ga
below.

3
X 0 1 2
13 ag
y 1.80 0.60 –0.60
00 H

X 0 1 2
01 ek

y –1.70 –1.50 –1.30

r
ta

194
Graphical solutions of quadratic equations
A general quadratic equation is of the form

y = ax2 + bx + c,

where a, b and c are constants and a is not equal to zero.

A graph of a quadratic equation always produces a shape

85 g
called a parabola.

94 ga
The gradient of the curve between 0 and A and between B

3
and C in Fig. is positive, whilst the gradient between A and B is
13 ag
negative. Points such as A and B are called turning points. At A the
gradient is zero and, as x increases, the gradient of the curve
00 H

changes from positive just before A to negative just after. Such a

point is called a maximum value. At B the gradient is also zero, and,
01 ek

as x increases, the gradient of the curve changes from negative just

before B to positive just after. Such a point is called a minimum
r

value.
ta

195
 Quadratic graphs

(i) y = ax2
Graphs of y = x2, y = 3x2 and y = 1/2 x2 are shown in Fig.

y=3x2

85 g
94 ga
y= x2

3
13 ag
y = 1/2 x 2
00 H

All have minimum values at the origin (0, 0).

01 ek

Graphs of y = −x2, y = −3x2 and y = −1/2 x2 are shown in Fig.

r
ta

y = -1/2 x 2

y=-x2

y = -3 x 2

196
All have maximum values at the origin (0, 0).

When y = ax2:

(a) curves are symmetrical about the y-axis,

(b) the magnitude of ‘a’ affects the gradient of the curve,

85 g
and (c) the sign of ‘a’ determines whether it has a maximum

94 ga
or minimum value.

3
13 ag
00 H
01 ek
r
ta

197