20

Graphs
By studying this lesson you will be able to;
² identify functions,
² draw graphs of functions of the form y = mx and y = mx + c and identify their
characteristics,
² identify the gradient and intercept of a straight line graph,
² plot straightline graphs of equations of the form ax + by = c
² identify the relationship between the gradients of straight lines which are parallel
to each other.

Do the following exercise to recall what has been learnt in previous grades regarding
graphs.

Review Exercise

1. i. Draw a coordinate plane with the x and y axes marked from – 5 to 5 and
mark the points A (– 4,– 4) and B (4,– 4) on it. Mark the points C and D
such that ABCD is a square and write the coordinates of C and D.

ii. Write the equation of each side of the plane figure ABCD'
2. Draw a coordinate plane with the x and y axes marked from – 4 to 4.

i. Draw two straight lines, one parallel to the x axis and the other parallel to the
y axis passing through the point (4, – 4).
ii. Draw another two straight line, one parallel to the x axis and the other parallel
to the y- axis passing through the point (– 3, 2).
iii. Write the coordinates of the two points at which the lines in (i) and (ii) above
intersect each other.
iv. Write the equations of the axes of symmetry of the plane figure obtained in
(iii) above.

125
For free distribution.
 20.1 Functions
We have come across relationships between different quantities in various situations.
Carefully observe the relationship between the two quantities given below.
Let us suppose that beads are sold at 10 rupees per gramme. The prices of different
amounts of beads is shown below.
Beeds (g) Price (Rs)
1 1 10 = 10
2 2 10 = 20
3 3 10 = 30
4 4 10 = 40
Accordingly, it is clear that the price of x grammes of beeds is Rs 10x. Moreover, if
the price of x grammes of beeds is represented by Rs y, then we can write y = 10x.
Let us take the amount of grammes of beeds as x and the corresponding price as Rs y.
By plotting the price (y) against the amount of grammes of beeds (x) for different
values of x using the above relationship, we obtain the following graph.
y
50
40
30
20
10

1 2 3 4 5 x
In the above function y = 10x, the index of the independent variable x is 1. Therefore
it is called a linear function.
When a linear function is given, the values of y corresponding to different values of
x can be found as follows.

Example 1
For each of the linear functions given below, calculate the values of y corresponding
to the given values of x and write them as ordered pairs.

i. y = 2x ^values of x: –2, –1, 0, 1, 2&

3
ii. y = – x + 2 ^values of x: –4, –2, 0, 2, 4&
2
126
For free distribution.
 3
i. y = 2x ii. y = –
2 x+2
x 2x y Ordered x 3 y Ordered pairs
– x+2
pairs (x, y) 2 (x, y)
–2 2 –2 –4 (– 2, – 4) –4 3 8 (– 4, 8)
–
–4+2
2
–1 2 –1 –2 (– 1, –2) –2 3 5 (– 2, 5)
– –2+2
2
0 2 0 0 (0, 0) 0 3 2 (0, 2)
– 0+2
2
1 2 1 2 (1, 2) 2 3 –1 (2, – 1)
– 2+2
2
2 2 2 4 (2, 4) 4 3 –4 (4, – 4)
– 4+2
2

Exercise 20.1
Find the values of y corresponding to the given values of x and write them as
ordered pairs.

i. y = 3x ^values of x: – 2, – 1, 0, 1, 2&
ii. y = 2x + 3 ^values of x:– 3, – 2, – 1, 0, 1, 2, 3&
1
iii. y = – x – 2 ^values of x: – 6, – 3, 0, 3, 6&
3

20.2 Functions of the form y = mx and the gradient of the graph

of such a function
Linear functions such as y = 3x, y = –2x and y = x are examples of functions of the
form y = mx. Let us obtain ordered pairs of values of x and y by constructiong a
table as follows, to draw the graph of y = 3x for the values of x from –2 to +2.
y = 3x
x 3x y (x, y)
–2 3 –2 –6 ( –2, – 6)
–1 3 –1 –3 (– 1, – 3)
0 3 0 0 (0, 0)
1 3 1 3 (1, 3)
2 3 2 6 (2, 6)
127
For free distribution.
By plotting the above ordered pairs in a coordinate plane, we obtain the graph of the
function y = 3x as shown below.
y
6 P
5

3x
4

y=
3
2
1 positive direction of the x - axis
x
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4
–1
–2 acute angle
–3
–4
Q
–5
–6

Let us consider some characteristics of the above drawn graph.

² The graph is a straight line

² It passes through the point (0, 0)
² It makes an acute angle counterclockwise with the positive direction of the
x - axis

² When any point on the line other than the origin is considered, the value of
y coordinate
of that point is a constant (a constant value).
x coordinate
For example,
y coordinate 6
when the point P is considered, = =3
x coordinate 2
y coordinate –3
when the point Q is considered, = –1 =3
x coordinate

Moreover, this constant value is equal to the coefficient m of x of a function of the

form y = mx. This constant value is called the gradient of the graph.
128
For free distribution.
The gradient can be a positive value or a negative value.
Now, let us explain the behavior of functions of the form y = mx through the activity
given below.

Activity 1
1. a. Complete the tables given below for the selected positive values of m to
obtain coordinates of points to draw the graphs of the given functions of the
form y = mx, and draw the graphs on one coordinate plane.
1
(i) y = x (ii) y = +3x (iii) y = + x
3

x –2 0 2 x –1 0 1 x –3 0 3
y ____ ____ +2 y –3 ____ ____ y ____ ____ +1
b. Complete the tables given below for the selected negative values of m to obtain
coordinates of points to draw the graphs of the given functions of the form
y = mx and draw the graphs on one coordinate plane.
(i) y = – x (ii) y = – 3x (iii) y = – 1 x
3
x –2 0 2 x –1 0 1 x –3 0 3
y ____ ____ –2 y ____ 0 ____ y 1 ____ ____
Observe the relationship between the angle that a graph makes with the positive
direction of the x -axis and the gradient (value of m) by considering the graphs
obtained in (a) and (b) above.
By doing the above activity you would have obtained the following graphs.
(a) Graphs obtained when the gradient is positive

y y = 3x
y=x
1
y= x
3

0 x

³ When the gradient (value of m) is positive, the angle that the graph forms counter
clockwise with the positive direction of the x-axis is an acute angle.
129
For free distribution.
 1
³ As the value of the gradient increases in the order , 1, 3 the magnitude of the
3
angle formed by the graph of the function with the positive direction of the x-axis
counterclockwise increases.
(b) Graphs obtained when m is negative

y = –3x
y
y = –x
1
y=– x
3

0 x

³ When the value of the gradient (value of m) is negative, the angle formed with the
positive direction of the x-axis counterclockwise is an obtuse angle.
1
³ As the value of the gradient (value of m) increases in the order – 3, – 1, – the
3
magnitude of the angle formed by the graph of the function with the positive
direction of the x-axis counterclockwise increases.

Note: Gradient of a graph

y y
2
2
y=
x

1
y=

–x

–2 –1 0 1 x
0 1 2 x

The gradient of the graph of the –1

function y = x is 1. This means The gradient of the graph of the
that when the value of x increases function y = – x is –1. This means
by one unit, the value of y also that when the value of x increases by
increases by one unit. one unit, the value of y decreases by
one unit.
130
For free distribution.
Example 1

Write the gradient of the graph of each of the functions given below without
drawing the graph.
i. y = 2x
ii. y = – 5x
1
iii. y = – x
2

i. Gradient ^m& = 2
ii. Gradient ^m& = – 5
1
iii. Gradient ^m& = –
2
Example 2

i. Draw the graphs of the functions y = 2x and y = –3x on the same coordinate
plane by selecting suitable values for x.
ii. Using the above drawn graphs, find the value of x when y = 3, and the value of
y when x = 2.5.

i. y = 2x

x –2 –1 0 1 2
+2x 2 – 2 2 – 1 2 0 2 1 2 2
y –4 –2 0 2 4
(– 2, – 4) (– 1, – 2) (0, 0) (1, 2) (2, 4)
y = –3x
x –2 –1 0 1 2
– 3x – 3 – 2 – 3 – 1 – 3 0 – 3 1 – 3 2
y 6 3 0 –3 –6
(– 2, 6) (– 1, 3) (0, 0) (1, – 3) (2, – 6)

By plotting the above ordered pairs on the same coordinate plane, graphs of the
following form will be obtained.

131
For free distribution.
 y
6
y = 2x
y = –3x 5
4
3
2
1

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4x
–1
–2
–3
–4
–5
–6
–7
–8

ii. To find the value of y when x = 2.5,the line x = 2.5,should be drawn (indicated by
the red line) and the y -coordinate of the points of intersection of this line with
the two graphs should be obtained.
If we consider the function y = 2x, the value of y is 5 when the value of x is 2.5
If we consider the function y = – 3x, the value of y is – 7.5 when the value of x is 2.5
To find the value of x when y = 3, the line y = 3 should be drawn (indicated by the
green line) and the x - coordinate of the points of intersection of this line with the
two graphs should be obtained.
1
If we consider the function y = 2x, the value of x is 1 when the value of y is 3.
2
If we consider the function y = – 3x, the value of x is –1 when the value of y is 3.

132
For free distribution.
 Exercise 20.2
l3 y
l2
1. For each of the functions given by the
following equations, select and write the l4
l1
corresponding graph, from the graphs l1,
l2, l3, and l4 .
x

i. y = 3x ii. y + 2x = 0
3
iii. 2y – x = 0 iv. y + x = 0
2
2. The value of a Singapore dollor in Sri Lankan rupees is 100. By taking the
amount of Singapore dollors as x and the corresponding value in Sri Lankan
rupees as y, the relationship between Singapore dollors and Sri Lankan rupees
can be written as a function as y = 100x.

i. Prepare a suitable table of values to draw the graph of the above function.
(Use the values 1, 2, 3 and 4 for x)
ii. Draw the graph of the above function.
iii. Using the above drawn graph, find the value of 4.5 Singapore dollors in Sri
Lankan rupees.
iv. Using the graph, find how much 250 Sri Lankan rupees are in Singapore
dollors.

3. For the statements given below, mark a zZ in front of the correct statements and
a zZ in front of the incorrect statements.

i. For functions of the form y = mx, the direction of the graph is decided by the
sign of m. (....)
ii. When the graph of a function of the form y = mx is given, the graph of
y = – mx cannot be obtained by considering symmetry about the y - axis. (....)
iii. For a straight line passing through the origin, the ratio of the y - coordinate to
the x - coordinate of any point on the line other than the origin is equal to its
gradient. (....)
iv. Although the point (– 2, 3) lies on the straight line given by 2y + 3x = 0, it does
not lie on the straight line given by 2y – 3x = 0. (....)

v. The graph of a function of the form y = mx need not pass through the point
(0,0). (....)
133
For free distribution.
4. [Link] a table of values to draw the graphs of the functions given by
1 1
y = x, 3y = 2x and y = – 1 x by taking the values of x to be – 6,– 3, 0, 3
3 3
and 6.
ii. Draw the above graphs on the same coordinate plane.
iii. Write the x - coordinate of each of the three points at which the line y = 1
intersects the above three graphs.

5. i. Fill in the blanks in the incomplete table given below to draw the graph of
the function y = – 2 x.
3

x –6 –3 0 3 6
y 4 ____ ____ –2 ____

ii. Draw the graph of the above given function using the values in the completed
table.
iii. Using the graph, find the value of y when x = – 2.
2 2
iv. Does the point (– , ) lie on the above graph? Explain your answer with
3 3
reasons.
v. Using the coordinates of three points on the line, calculate the ratio of the
y - coordinate to the x - coordinate. Write the relationship between this value
and the gradient.

20.3 Graphs of functions of the form y = mx + c and functions given by

ax + by = c

Graphs of functions of the form y = mx + c

Let us first consider functions of the form y = mx + c. Let us draw the graph of the
function y =3x +1.
To do this, let us first develop a lable of values as shown below.
y = 3x + 1
x 3x + 1 y (x, y )
–2 3 –2+1 – 5 (– 2, – 5)
–1 3 –1+1 – 2 (– 1, – 2)
0 3 0+1 1 (0, 1)
1 3 1+1 4 (1, 4)
2 3 2+1 7 (2, 7)
134
For free distribution.
The graph that is obtained when the function is plotted on a coordinate plane using
the ordered pairs in the above table of values is shown below.

7
6
5

+1
3x
4

y=
3
2
1

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4x
–1
–2
–3
–4
–5
–6

By observing the above graph, the following characteristics can be identified.

² It is a straight line graph.
² The straight line intersects the y - axis at (0, 1).
² The straight line makes an acute angle counterclockwise with the positive
direction of the x- axis. The value of m of this line is + 3. This means that when
the variable x increases by 1 unit, the variable y increases by 3 units.
² The value representing c in the equation y = 3x + 1 is + 1. The y cordinate of
the point at which the straight line intersects the y - axis is also 1. These two
values are equal.

The distance, from the origin to the point where the straight line intersects the
y - axis is known as the intercept. The intercept of this line is + 1.
Accordingly, the gradient of the graph of a function of the form y = mx + c is m and
the intercept is c.

135
For free distribution.
Example 1

Prepare a suitable table of values and draw the graph of the function y = x − 2.
Using the graph, find the following.

i. The intercept.
ii. The value of y when x = 2.5
1
iii. The value of x when y = –
2
y = x − 2.
x –1 0 1 2 3
y=x–2 –3 – 2 –1 0 1

3
2 x –2
1 y=

–2 –1 0 1 2 3 4x
–1
–2
–3
–4

i. Intercept (c) = – 2.
1
ii. y =
2 when x = 2.5.
1 1
iii. x = 1 when y = – .
2 2

Example 2

Without drawing the graph, write the gradient and the intercept of the graph of each
of the functions given by the following equations.
i. y = – 2x + 5
ii. y + 3x = – 2
136
For free distribution.
i. y = – 2x +5 is of the form y = mx + c.
Accordingly, the gradient (m) = – 2
The intercept (c) = 5
ii. Let us first write y + 3x = − 2 in the form y = mx + c.
That is, y = −3x −2.
Accordingly, the gradient (m) = − 3
The intercept (c) = −2

Example 3

Prepare suitable tables for the functions y = 2x,

y = 2x + 1 and y = 2x−3, and draw their graphs on the same coordinate plane.

i. Write the gradient and intercept of each graph by observing the equation.
ii. Write a special feature that you can observe in the graphs.
y = 2x y = 2x + 1 y = 2x – 3
x –1 0 1 x –1 0 1 x –1 0 1
y –2 0 2 y –1 1 3 y –5 –3 –1
y
+1

5
y = y = 2x

4
2x
3

3
2x –

2
y=

–4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 x
–1
–2
–3
–4
–5

y = 2x
gradient = 2; intercept = 0

137
For free distribution.
y = 2x + 1
gradient = 2; intercept = + 1

y = 2x – 3
gradient = 2; intercept = –3

By observing the equations of the graphs it is clear that the gradients of the three
graphs are the [Link] observing the graphs it can be seen that the lines are all
parallel to each other. Therefore, it is clear that if the gradients of two or more
linear functions are equal to each other, then their graphs will be parallel straight
lines.

Graphs of functions given by equations of the form ax + by = c

Now let us consider the graphs of functions given by equations of the form
ax + by = c. It is easy to prepare the table of values by writing this equation in the
form y = mx + c.
Consider the following example.

Example 1

Prepare a suitable table of values and plot the graph of the function given by the
equation 3x + 2y = 6.
Using the graph that is drawn,
i. write the coordinates of the points at which it intersect the main axes.
ii. writethe gradient and intercept.
First let us change this equation to the form y = mx + c
3x + 2y = 6
2y = – 3x + 6
3
y = – 2 x + 3'

Let us obtain the coordinates of points that lie on the graph of this function from the
following table of values and use them to draw the graph.

138
For free distribution.
 x 3 y
–
2 x+3
–2 3 6
– –2+3
2
0 3 3
– 0+3
2
2 3 0
– 2+3
2
4 3 –3
– 4+3
2
(– 2, 6) (0,3) (2, 0)(4, – 3)
y
9
3x 8
+
2y 7
=
6 6
5
4
3
2
1

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4x
–1
–2
–3
–4
–5
–6

i. The graph intersects the y - axis at (0, 3) and the x- axis at (2, 0).
3
ii. Gradient (m) = – 2 , intercept (c) = 3
139
For free distribution.
Note(
² Observe that the graph of 3x + 2y = 6 intersects the y axis at the point
(0, 3) and that the y coordinate of that point is equal to the coefficient of x
in the equation 3x + 2y = 6.
² Observe that the graph of 3x + 2y = 6 intersects the x axis at the point
(2, 0) and the x coordinate of that point is equal to the coefficient of y in the
equation 3x + 2y = 6.
² Note that the graph of 3x + 2y = 6 can be plottted by joining the points
(0, 3) and (2, 0), without preparing a table of values.

Exercise 20.3
1. For each of the functions given by the equations in parts (a) and (b), write the
gradient and intercept without drawing the corresponding graphs and write
whether the graph makes an acute or obtuse angle counterclockwise with the
positive direction of the x - axis.
2 1
(a) i. y = x + 3 ii. y = – x + 4 iii. y = x – 2 iv. y = 4 + 2 x
3
2
(b) i. 2y = 3x – 2 ii. 4y + 1 = 4x iii. x + 2y = 6
3

2. For each of the functions given below, find the coordinates of the points at which
the graph of the function intersects the two axes and plot the graph of each
function using these two points.
1
(a) i. y = 2x + 3 ii. y = x + 2
2
(b) i. 2x – 3y = 6 ii. – 2x + 4y + 2 = 0

3. Using the information given below, write the equation of each straight line.

Gradients (m) Intercept (c) Equation of the function

i. + 2 –5 y = 2x – 5
ii. –3 +4
1 –3
iii. –
2
3 +1
iv.
2
v. 1 0

140
For free distribution.
4. An incomplete table of values prepared to draw the graph of the function
y = – 3x – 2 is given below.

x –2 –1 0 1 2
y ________ ________ –2 ________ –8

i. Fill in the blanks.

ii. Draw the graph of the above function.
iii. Draw the straight line given by y = x on the same coordinate plane and write
the coordinates of the point of intersection of the two lines.

5. By selecting suitable values for x, construct a table of values and draw the graphs
of the following functions on the same coordinate plane.

1 1
i. y = x ii. y = – 2x + 2 iii. y = x+1 iv. y = – x–3
2 2
6. Draw the graphs of the functions given by the following equations for the values
of x from – 4 to + 4 .
a. – 3x + 2y = 6 and 3x + 2y = – 6
b. y + 2x = 4 and – 2x + y = – 4

7. Write the equations of the straight lines AB and PQ in the following figure.

y B

3 y=x
2
<
1
< Q

A –2 –1 0 1 2< 3 4x
–1
–2
–3
P
–4

141
For free distribution.
 Miscellaneous Exercise
1. For the statements given below, mark a “√” in front of the correct statements and
a “×” in front of the incorrect statements.

i. For all m, the graph of a function of the form y = mx + c is a straight line which
is not parallel to the main axes. (............)

ii. For a function of the form y = mx + c, the value of m determines the direction
of the straight line graph and the value of c determines the point where the
graph intersects the y - axis. (............)

iii. It is not necessary for c to be zero, for the graph of a function of the form
y = mx + c to pass through the origin, (............)

iv. The graphs of the functions given by the equations y1 = m1x + c1 and
y2 = m2x + c2 will be parallel when m1 = m2 . (............)

v. A straight line given by y = mx + c, intersects the y-axis above the x-axis

only when m > 0, and c > 0. (............)

2. Write the equations of the functions of the graphs sketched below.

i. ii. iii.
y gradient = 2 y y 3
gradient = – 3 gradient =
2
4

0 x 0 x
0 x

iv. v. vi.
y –1 y 3 y
gradient= gradient = gradient = – 2
3 4
3

0 0 x
–2
0 x x
–4

142
For free distribution.
3. Select and write the graph corresponding to each of the given functions.

7
6
l3
5
4
l4
3
2 l5
1

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4x
–1
–2
–3
l1
–4
–5
l2

Function
i. y = 3x – 4
ii. y = – 2x + 1
iii. y = – x – 5
iv. y = – 3x + 3
v. y = + 3x
4
4. The gradient of the straight line given by 4x + py = 10 is – '
3
i. Find the value of p. ii. Write the intercept.
iii. Write the equation of the straight line with gradient –2 which passes through
the point at which the above given straight line intersects the y - axis.

Summary

² The gradient of the graph of a function of the form y = mx + c is m and

the intercept is c.

² If the gradients of two or more linear functions are equal to each other,
then their graphs will be parallel straight lines.

143
For free distribution.