Year 11 Maths - Graphs and Linear Relations Quick Guide Page 1 of 10

1. Coordinates and the Cartesian Plane

Key idea: A coordinate tells you the position of a point. It is written as (x, y). The x-value
moves left or right. The y-value moves down or up.
- Positive x moves right. Negative x moves left.
- Positive y moves up. Negative y moves down.
- The origin is (0, 0).
Example: The point (3, -2) means 3 units right and 2 units down.
A graph has four quadrants. Quadrant I has positive x and positive y. Quadrant II has negative
x and positive y. Quadrant III has negative x and negative y. Quadrant IV has positive x and
negative y.
Mistake to avoid: Do not swap x and y. The order is always across first, then up or down.
Practice: Describe (-5, 4). Answer: 5 left and 4 up.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Graphs and Linear Relations Quick Guide Page 2 of 10

2. Plotting Linear Graphs from a Table

Key idea: A linear graph makes a straight line. You can draw it by making a table of values.
Method:
1. Choose several x-values, such as -2, -1, 0, 1, 2.
2. Substitute each x-value into the equation.
3. Record the y-values in a table.
4. Plot the points and draw a straight line through them.
Example: y = 2x + 1.
If x = -1, y = -1. If x = 0, y = 1. If x = 2, y = 5.
Points include (-1, -1), (0, 1), and (2, 5).
Mistake to avoid: A straight-line graph should be drawn with a ruler and extended across the
grid.
Practice: Make three points for y = x - 3. Answer examples: (0, -3), (3, 0), (5, 2).

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Graphs and Linear Relations Quick Guide Page 3 of 10

3. Gradient: Steepness of a Line

Key idea: Gradient measures how steep a line is. It is often written as m.
Formula: gradient = rise/run = change in y / change in x.
Example: A line goes from (1, 2) to (5, 10). The change in y is 8 and the change in x is 4, so
gradient = 8/4 = 2.
A positive gradient slopes upward from left to right. A negative gradient slopes downward from
left to right. A zero gradient is horizontal.
A vertical line has undefined gradient because the run is 0 and division by zero is not
allowed.
Mistake to avoid: Always use the same order for both points: (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1).
Practice: Find the gradient from (2, 9) to (6, 1). Answer: -2.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Graphs and Linear Relations Quick Guide Page 4 of 10

4. y = mx + c Form
Key idea: The form y = mx + c is the most useful form for a straight line. m is the gradient
and c is the y-intercept.
The y-intercept is where the graph crosses the y-axis. At the y-axis, x = 0.
Example: y = 3x - 4 has gradient 3 and y-intercept -4. It crosses the y-axis at (0, -4).
Example: y = -2x + 5 has gradient -2 and y-intercept 5.
To draw from y = mx + c:
1. Plot c on the y-axis.
2. Use the gradient as rise/run.
3. Draw the straight line.
Mistake to avoid: In y = 4 - x, rewrite as y = -x + 4. The gradient is -1, not 4.
Practice: Identify m and c in y = 0.5x + 7. Answer: m = 0.5, c = 7.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Graphs and Linear Relations Quick Guide Page 5 of 10

5. Finding the Equation of a Line

Key idea: To find the equation of a line, you usually need the gradient and one point, or two
points.
Method from two points:
1. Find the gradient using change in y divided by change in x.
2. Put the gradient into y = mx + c.
3. Substitute one point to find c.
Example: Points (2, 5) and (4, 9). Gradient = (9 - 5)/(4 - 2) = 2. So y = 2x + c. Use (2, 5):
5 = 2(2) + c, so c = 1. Equation: y = 2x + 1.
Mistake to avoid: Do not assume c is one of the y-values unless the point has x = 0.
Practice: Find the line through (0, 3) with gradient -4. Answer: y = -4x + 3.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Graphs and Linear Relations Quick Guide Page 6 of 10

6. Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Key idea: Parallel lines have the same gradient and never meet. Perpendicular lines meet at 90
degrees.
Parallel example: y = 2x + 1 and y = 2x - 7 are parallel because both gradients are 2.
Perpendicular rule: Gradients multiply to -1. For example, gradient 2 is perpendicular to
gradient -1/2.
Example: A line perpendicular to y = 4x + 3 has gradient -1/4.
Horizontal and vertical lines are perpendicular to each other.
Mistake to avoid: Lines with the same y-intercept are not automatically parallel. The gradient
decides parallel direction.
Practice: Is y = -3x + 4 parallel to y = -3x - 9? Answer: yes.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Graphs and Linear Relations Quick Guide Page 7 of 10

7. Distance and Midpoint

Key idea: Distance and midpoint help describe line segments on a coordinate plane.
Midpoint formula: midpoint = ((x1 + x2)/2, (y1 + y2)/2).
Distance formula: distance = sqrt((x2 - x1)^2 + (y2 - y1)^2).
Example: Points A(2, 3) and B(8, 11). Midpoint = (5, 7). Distance = sqrt(6^2 + 8^2) =
sqrt(100) = 10.
The distance formula comes from Pythagoras' theorem.
Mistake to avoid: A distance is never negative, even if the coordinate changes are negative.
Practice: Find the midpoint of (-2, 5) and (6, 1). Answer: (2, 3).

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Graphs and Linear Relations Quick Guide Page 8 of 10

8. Intersections and Solving Graphically

Key idea: The intersection of two graphs is the point that satisfies both equations. It is
also the solution to simultaneous equations.
Example: y = x + 2 and y = -x + 6. At the intersection, x + 2 = -x + 6. Then 2x = 4, x = 2,
and y = 4. The intersection is (2, 4).
On a graph, read the point where the lines cross. This gives an approximate solution if the
graph is not exact.
A pair of parallel lines has no intersection. A pair of identical lines has infinitely many
intersections.
Mistake to avoid: When reading from a graph, use the scale carefully.
Practice: Solve y = 2x + 1 and y = 7. Answer: x = 3, point (3, 7).

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Graphs and Linear Relations Quick Guide Page 9 of 10

9. Real-Life Linear Models

Key idea: Many real-life situations can be modelled by a straight line when there is a
constant rate of change.
Example: A taxi costs $4 plus $2 per km. The cost C for d km is C = 2d + 4.
Here the gradient 2 means the cost increases by $2 per km. The intercept 4 means the starting
cost is $4.
Example: A phone plan has $20 fixed cost plus $0.10 per minute. The formula is C = 0.10m + 20.
Look for words like per, each, every, starting fee, fixed cost, initial amount, and rate.
Mistake to avoid: The intercept is not always time 0 in a meaningful real-world sense, but in
many school questions it represents the starting amount.
Practice: Write the formula for $15 plus $3 per item. Answer: C = 3n + 15.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Graphs and Linear Relations Quick Guide Page 10 of 10

10. Graphs Exam Checklist

Before finishing a graph question, check:
- Did you label both axes?
- Did you use the scale correctly?
- Did you plot (x, y) in the correct order?
- Did you draw straight lines with a ruler?
- Did you identify gradient and intercept correctly?
- Did you include units for real-life questions?
Mixed practice:
1. Gradient from (1, 4) to (3, 10). Answer: 3.
2. y-intercept of y = -5x + 2. Answer: 2.
3. Equation with gradient 6 and y-intercept -1. Answer: y = 6x - 1.
4. Midpoint of (4, 7) and (10, 1). Answer: (7, 4).
5. Are y = 2x + 4 and y = 2x - 3 parallel? Answer: yes.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".