Understanding graphs
Gradients
Y- intercepts / initial values
X- intercepts / roots
Equation of a line
Horizontal and Vertical Shifts
Gradient, also known as Slope, gives a measure of the steepness of a linear equation and
determines how much it is inclined with reference to the x-axis. To calculate the gradient of any
line, given points on the line A ( X1 , Y1 ) and B ( X2 , Y2 ), the formula is
The Gradient of parallel lines are equal.
The Gradient of perpendicular lines is such that one is the negative reciprocal of the other.
In other words, their products equal -1.
Vertical line gradients are undefined.
Horizontal line gradients are zero.
Y-Intercepts / Initial Values
The y-intercept of a line is the value of y where the line crosses the y-axis. In other words, it is
the value of y when the value of x is equal to 0.
When a system is modelled into a linear equation, the y-intercept has a translation of “Initial
Value”.
Examples of Initial Values of modelled equations are:
Membership Fee
Fixed cost for production of an item
X-Intercepts / Root or Solutions to the function
The x-intercept is the point at which the graph crosses the x-axis. At this point, the y-coordinate
is zero. The y-intercept is the point at which the graph crosses the y-axis. At this point, the x-
coordinate is zero. To determine the x-intercept, we set y equal to zero and solve for x.
The x-intercept also provides the solution (roots) for any function whether it is a linear,
quadratic, cubic or any polynomial function.
[Link]
Plot y = 2x - 6
Plot y = x^2 -10x + 21
From a graph, the solution/roots of an equation can be located without solving the actual
equation.
Plot y = x^3 -4x^2 + x + 6
The reverse is also true, you can use the solutions obtained by a graph to determine the function.
Real roots
Plot y = 2x^3 +5x^2 - 3x + 4
The graph shows that the graph meets the x-axis once, which means that there is only 1 REAL
root.
Roots can also be imaginary. Since this is a cubic function, there are 3 roots.
As a result, for this graph there is 1 real root and 2 imaginary roots.
Putting it all together – The equation of a line (linear equation)
The equation of a line is the algebraic representation of a line using cartesian coordinates.
The general form of the equation of a straight line is written as y = mx + b
Where m is the gradient/slope and b is the y-intercept of the straight line.
The coordinate (x,y) lies on the line y = mx + b giving us a linear relationship between x and y.
The term linear equation is given to any straight line.
To determine the equation of a line you require 1 of the 2 options.
Option 1: 2 points on the line
Option 2: 1 point on the line and the gradient of the line.
We can then use the formula y – y1 = m( x – x1 )
Exercise: Determine the equation of the line passing through the points A(2,1) and B(5,10)
In this case we have Option 1.
Calculate the gradient = 3
Using any point …...we will use the point A for this example.
y – 1 = 3(x -2)
y = 3x – 5
Horizontal and Vertical Shifts
When a graph is shifted it does not change the shape of the graph.
Horizontal shifts are shifts in the graph along the x - axis.
Given a function f(x) = 2x -1 or in simple terms y = 2x -5
Let’s call f(x) = y for now.
Plot : 2x - 5
f(x – k) translates to a shift of the graph K units to the RIGHT.
Modify the graph f(x – 7). This means that the original graph has been shifted 7 units to the
RIGHT.
f(x + k) translates to a shift of the graph K units to the LEFT.
Modify the graph f(x + 6). This means that the original graph has been shifted 6 units to the
LEFT.
Vertical shifts are shifts in the graph along the y - axis.
f(x) + k translates to a shift of the graph K units UPWARDS.
Modify the graph f(x) + 8. This means that the original graph has been shifted 8 units
UPWARDS.
f(x) - k translates to a shift of the graph K units DOWNWARDS.
Modify the graph f(x) - 6. This means that the original graph has been shifted 6 units
DOWNWARDS.
Tutorial
Gradient
Y- intercept
X-Intercept/Roots/Solutions
Equation of a line
Using Desmos