Topic: Relationships, Variables & Linear Relationships
1️⃣ RELATIONSHIPS
🔹 What is a relationship?
A relationship exists when two quantities are connected and one depends on
the other.
Example:
Petrol costs R9,93 per litre.
If you buy more litres, the total cost increases.
There is a relationship between:
Amount of petrol (litres)
Total cost (rand)
🔹 Representing Relationships
A relationship can be shown in 3 ways:
1. A Table
2. A Graph
3. An Equation
📊 Example 1: Petrol Cost
Price per litre = R9,93
Litres
1 2 3 10
(ℓ)
9,9 19,8 29,7 99,3
Cost (R)
3 6 9 0
📈 Graph
X-axis → Litres (independent variable)
Y-axis → Cost (dependent variable)
The graph forms a straight line
🧮 Equation
Cost = 9,93 × litres
Let:
C = total cost
ℓ = number of litres
C = 9,93ℓ
2️⃣ VARIABLES
🔹 What is a variable?
A variable is a value that can change.
In the petrol example:
Litres can change
Cost changes
Both are variables.
🔹 Independent and Dependent Variables
Type Meaning Example
Independent Litres of
The value you choose/change
Variable petrol
Dependent Depends on the independent
Total cost
Variable variable
👉 The cost depends on how many litres you buy.
🔹 Continuous and Discrete Variables
🔸 Continuous Variables
Can have any value
Can include decimals
Example:
Mass (2,5 kg)
Petrol (3,7 litres)
Graph: Draw a solid line
🔸 Discrete Variables
Only whole numbers
Cannot have decimals
Example:
Number of people
Number of cars
Graph: Draw points only
Example Question
Is the relationship between:
1. Mass of potatoes and cost → Continuous
2. Number of workers and time taken → Discrete
3️⃣ LINEAR RELATIONSHIPS
🔹 What is a Linear Relationship?
A relationship where one variable increases at a constant rate.
👉 This forms a straight line graph.
📊 Example 2: Potatoes
Cost per kg = R8,99
Mass
1 2 3 4
(kg)
8,9 17,9 26,9 35,9
Cost (R)
9 8 7 6
Each increase of 1 kg increases the cost by R8,99.
🧮 Equation
C = 8,99m
Where:
C = cost
m = mass in kg
🔹 What Does a Linear Graph Look Like?
Straight line
Constant increase or decrease
Equal spacing between values
4️⃣ DIRECT PROPORTION
🔹 What is Direct Proportion?
Two quantities are in direct proportion if:
When one increases,
The other increases at the same rate (same ratio).
Example 3: Bread
1 loaf = R6
5 loaves = R30
As loaves increase, cost increases proportionally.
Direct Proportion Formula
y = kx
Where:
k = constant rate
Example:
Cost = 6 × number of loaves
C = 6n
5️⃣ STEPS TO DRAW A LINEAR GRAPH
1. Draw axes
2. Label axes (include units)
3. Plot points
4. Join points with a straight line (if continuous)
6️⃣ EXAM-TYPE QUESTIONS
Question 1
A taxi charges R12 per kilometre.
1. Identify independent and dependent variables.
2. Draw a table for 1–5 km.
3. Write an equation.
4. Is this a linear relationship?
Answers:
1. Independent → Distance
Dependent → Cost
2. C = 12d
3. Yes (constant increase)
Question 2
A gym charges a joining fee of R200 plus R150 per month.
1. Write the equation.
2. Is this direct proportion?
Solution:
C = 200 + 150m
Not direct proportion (because of starting value 200).
🔎 KEY SUMMARY
Concept Key Idea
Two quantities
Relationship
connected
Variable A value that changes
Independent Input
Dependent Output
Linear Straight line
Direct
y = kx
proportion
Continuous Decimals allowed
Discrete Whole numbers only