Gradients of Real Life Graphs Worksheets | Questions and Revision

# Gradients of Real Life Graphs Worksheets, Questions and Revision

Level 4-5

## Real Life Graphs

Real life graphs are graphs representing real things, these can be straight line graphs and curved graphs.

These graphs can represent anything so getting the basics is important.

Make sure you are happy with the following topics before continuing:

Level 6-7

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## Gradient Represents a Rate of Change

For many real life graphs the gradient will represent the rate.
Take a look at the examples shown.

What rate does each graph represent?

A: Gradient = Litres PER Second (Rate of flow)

B: Gradient = Cost PER Day (Price per day)

C: Gradient = Metres PER second (Acceleration)

Note: C is a curved graph so the gradient changes over time, this means we have to use some other techniques for finding the gradient.

KS3 Level 4-5

You may be asked to find the average gradient between two points.

Example: Sammy is running a $100$ m race. His distance from the finish line is plotted on the distance time graph shown.

Calculate his average speed between $4$ seconds and $12$ seconds.

[3 marks]

Step 1:  Draw a line between the two points on the graph at $4$ seconds and $12$ seconds, shown on the graph below.

Step 2: Find the gradient of the straight line.

$\text{Gradient} = \dfrac{\text{Change in }y}{\text{Change in }x} = \dfrac{76-12}{12-4} = \dfrac{64}{8} = 8$ m/s

Level 6-7

## Estimating rate at a given point:

We calculate the instantaneous rate of change by drawing a tangent to the curve (a straight line just touching the curve) at the desired point, and then calculating the gradient of this tangent (which can be worked out using standard straight line methods).

This will correspond to the gradient of the curve at that individual point.

Example: The descent of a high altitude weather balloon from $40$ km above sea level is shown on the graph shown.

Work out the rate of descent at after $5$ minutes.

[2 marks]

To find the descent rate, we can draw a tangent line to the graph at that point and calculate its gradient. We can form a triangle with the hypotenuse being the tangent to the line at $x=5$ ($5$ minutes in). This can be seen below.

Hence,

$\dfrac{\text{Change in } y}{\text{Change in } x}= \dfrac{45-18.5}{9-1} =3.31$ km/min ($2$ dp).

Level 6-7

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### Example Questions

To find each cost corresponding to $40$ litres, first locate $40$ litres on the $x$-axis and draw a straight line up to both lines. Next draw a line straight across to the $y$-axis.

$\text{Diesel cost} \approx £46.00$

$\text{Petrol cost} \approx £40.50$

Hence the difference in price for a full $40$ litre tank of fuel is,

$£46.00 - £40.50 = £5.50$

To find the cost of a single hire, locate Thursday on the $x$-axis and draw a straight line upwards to meet the line. Tracing across to the $y$-axis we find,

$\text{Cost per bike} \approx £38.00$

As the group is looking to hire $4$ bikes, multiple the cost by four,

$\text{Total cost } = £38.00 \times 4 = £152$

To find the equivalent value in Dollars, locate the value of $£8$ on the $x$-axis and trace upwards until meeting the line. Then drawing a horizontal line across to the $y$-axis we find that,

$£8 = \ 11.20$

To find the equivalent to $£800$, we can multiple this value by $100$

$£800 = \ 1120$

To find the acceleration at $5$ seconds after launch we need to find the gradient of the line at that point. To find the gradient we can draw a large triangle with the hypotenuse being the tangent to the line at $x=5$. This can be seen below.

Hence,

$\dfrac{\text{Change in } y}{\text{Change in } x}= \dfrac{45-5}{7-3} =10$ m/s$^2$

### Worksheets and Exam Questions

#### (NEW) Real Life Graphs Exam Style Questions

Level 5-7 New Official MME

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