Linear
Relationships
Curriculum Ready
www.mathletics.com
This booklet extends on straight line concepts by investigating the relationship between points on a line
Write a single sentence that describes the mathematical meaning for these terms:
You can use a small diagram/example to support your description.
Linear
Continuous
Relationship
Join these definitions together to describe in a one sentence what you think is meant by a linear relationship.
is
Give th
a go!
Two snails have spotted the best lettuce in the garden and are travelling in straight lines towards it for dinner.
Slidy Sam is following the path: y = 2 - 2x and Slippery Shelly is following the path: 2y = - x - 2
Which lettuce are they both moving towards if it is at the point where their paths cross?
Q
y-axis
4
3
B
C
E
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
Linear Relationships
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Linear Relationships
Gradient-intercept form
A linear relationship is an algebraic rule that forms a continuous, straight line when graphed.
Lets review the basic linear equation.
the power of x and y is always 1
gradient-intercept form y = mx + b
coefficient of x (m) is the gradient
Before graphing it is important to be able to extract the correct information from a linear equation.
For the equation y = 3x - 4
(i) Write the gradient and y-intercept for the graph of y = 3x - 4
y = 3x - 4
gradient ^ mh = 3 = + 3
+1
y-intercept ^ bh = - 4
y-intercept ^ bh = + 2
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Linear Relationships
Here are some more examples with different points to look out for.
For the equation y = 2 x + 1
3
(i) Write the gradient and y-intercept for the graph of y = 2 x + 1
3
2
y = x +1
3
gradient ^ mh = 2 = + 2
y-intercept ^ bh = + 1
3
+3
(ii) Describe what these values mean for the graph of y = 2 x + 1
3
m = 2 : graph moves + 2 vertically (slopes up) for every + 3 horizontally
3
b = + 1: graph passes through the point ^0 , 1h or the graph crosses the y-axis at 1
Be careful to correctly interpret the meaning of negative signs.
For the equation y = - 4x + 5
(i) Write the gradient and y-intercept for the graph of y = - 4x + 5
y = - 4x + 5
gradient ^ mh = - 4 = - 4 y-intercept ^ bh = + 5
+1
(ii) Describe what these values mean for the graph of y = - 4x + 5
m = 4: graph moves - 4 vertically (slopes down) for every + 1 horizontally
b = + 5: graph passes through the point ^0 , 5h or the graph crosses the y-axis at 5
When the coefficient of x is a fraction, it can appear in a slightly different form.
Write the gradient and y-intercept for the graph of y = - x + 1
3 2
y = - 1 x+ 1
3
2
gradient ^ mh = - 1 = - 1
3
+3
y = - x+1
3 2
or
y-intercept ^ bh = 1
2
y = 3 - 2x
same as y = - 2x + 3
y-intercept ^ bh = + 3 gradient ^ mh = - 2 = - 2
+1
Linear Relationships
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Your Turn
Linear Relationships
y = x-6
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
y = - 3x + 2
y = 5x + 2
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
y = - x + 6
y = - 3x + 1
4
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
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Linear Relationships
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./20...
..../....
x+b
RADIENTI
1 (i) Write the gradient and y-intercept for each of these linear equations
(ii) Describe what these values mean for the graph of each linear equation
y = 2x - 1
EPT FO
ERC
RM
NT
y=m
EPT FO
ERC
RM
NT
Gradient-intercept form
RADIENTI
*G
*G
3P Learning
Your Turn
Linear Relationships
Gradient-intercept form
1 (i) Write the gradient and y-intercept for each of these linear equations
(ii) Describe what these values mean for the graph of each linear equation
a
y = 2 + x
y = 1 x+ 2
2
3
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
(ii) The graph of y = 1 x + 2 moves:
2
3
y = - 3x
x
y = - 2 +8
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
-1
y = 3 - x
y = 4 - 3x
5
2
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
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2y - 6x = 12
+ 6x
+ 6x
divide every term by 2 to isolate y
2y = 6x + 12
'2
'2
'2
linear equation is now in the form y = mx + b
y = 3x + 6
gradient ^ mh = 3 = + 3
+1
y-intercept ^ bh = + 6
- 2x
divide every term by 3 to isolate y
3y = 9 - 2x
'3
'3 '3
y = 3- 2 x
3
2
y = - x +3
3
gradient ^ mh = - 2 = - 2
3
+3
y-intercept ^ bh = + 3
#9
3y - x
= 2
9
multiply both side by 9
= 2#9
3y - x = 18
+x
+x
divide every term by 3 to isolate y
3y = x + 18
'3
'3
'3
y = x +6
3
1
1
gradient ^ mh =
= +
3
+3
6
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y-intercept ^ bh = + 6
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Your Turn
Linear Relationships
4y = 8x - 12
INEAR RELA
G L
IN
G
AN
(i)
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
d
4y + 3x = 12
(i)
(i)
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
6x + 2y = 1
...
2y = 14x + 6
(i)
10y - 10x = 25
..../...../20
IONSHIPS * R
AT
EA
RR
y = m
x+b
8x - 4y = 16
hint: be careful with negative values here
(i)
(i)
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
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AR
LINE REL
NG
GI
AN
ONSHIPS * R
TI
EA
RR
Your Turn
Linear Relationships
y
= x -1
3
(i)
1 y = 2x + 3
2
(i)
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
y-x
= 2
3
(i)
2y + 6x
= 6
5
(i)
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
5y + 4x
= 1
2
(i)
5y + 3x = 5
3
hint: be careful with the sign of the gradient
(i)
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
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Linear Relationships
y-intercept ^ bh = + 2
` Graph of the rule moves + 1 vertically (slopes up) for every + 1 horizontally
and passes through the y-axis at (0 , 2)
(ii) Describe what these values mean for the graph of y = x + 2
y-axis
7
6
5
Step 1: Plot the y-intercept
4
3
+1
+1
2
1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
y-axis
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
x+
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
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3y + 2x = 12
- 2x
- 2x
divide every term by 3 to isolate y
3y = 12 - 2x
'3
'3
'3
y = 4- 2 x
3
2
y = - x +4
3
gradient ^ mh = - 2 = - 2
3
+3
y-intercept ^ bh = + 4
+3
-2
3
2
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
Remember the gradient is:
-2
-3
3y
y-axis
+2
12 6
5
4
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-2
-3
10
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Your Turn
Linear Relationships
y = 2x + 3
Gradient (m) =
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
ND
y-axis
y-axis
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
y = - 3x + 1
Gradient (m) =
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-2
-3
-3
1
y = 2 x + 3
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
2
y = 5 x +2
Gradient (m) =
Gradient (m) =
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
y-axis
y-axis
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
..../...../20...
CEPT
TER
A
IN
GRAPHING
ING THE
US
GRADIENT
1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-2
-3
-3
Linear Relationships
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x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
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11
Your Turn
Linear Relationships
Sketch each of these linear equations using the y-intercept and gradient
a
y = - 2x - 4
Gradient (m) =
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
y-axis
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
3
y = 5 x - 3
Gradient (m) =
y-intercept (b) =
y-intercept (b) =
SERIES
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y-axis
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
Linear Relationships
Mathletics Passport
y-axis
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
5
y = -3x
Gradient (m) =
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
12
y = - x -5
Gradient (m) =
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
3P Learning
y-axis
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
Your Turn
Linear Relationships
4y - 3x = - 4
(i)
(ii)
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
Gradient (m) =
y-intercept (b) =
y-axis
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
3y + 2x
b
= 1
3
y-axis
(i)
(ii)
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
Gradient (m) =
y-intercept (b) =
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
9
2x + 3y = 2
(i)
(ii)
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
Gradient (m) =
y-intercept (b) =
y-axis
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
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13
Linear Relationships
y-axis
6
5
4
3
2
1
+2
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
+ 3 -1
-2
-3
y-intercept ^ bh = + 2
Gradient ^ mh = + 2 = 2
3
+3
y = mx + b
` y = 2 x +2
3
For graphs with only one visible intercept, search for another easy-to-read point.
Find the equation of the line for this linear graph
7
y-axis
6
5
4
3
2
+5
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
y-intercept = 0
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-3
-2
-3
y-intercept ^ bh = 0
Gradient ^ mh = - 3 = - 3
5
+5
y = mx + b
` y = -3x
5
14
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Your Turn
Linear Relationships
Match the letter of each graph with its linear relationship.
y-axis
6
5
4
H
3
2
x-axis
8 -7 -6
C
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
I
-7
4y = 20 - x
x =5
y+6= x
y
=1- x
2
y=x
R EQU
NEA
A
LI
y=7+ x
THE
y = 3x - 1
3x + 8y = 0
y = 2x + 3
Linear Relationships
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5x + 7y =- 35
GRAPH
y = 2x
HE
FROM
ON
T
TI
./20..
...
..../.
y = 4x + 8
8
SERIES
TOPIC
15
Linear Relationships
Comparing graphs
By graphing more than one linear equation onto the same set of axes, we can see if there is a special
relationship between them.
Lets see what happens when two linear equations with the same gradient are plotted together.
Graph the linear equations y = x + 1 and y = x - 3 on the same set of axes
For: y = x + 1
m = 1 and b = + 1
y-axis
x-
m = 1 and b = - 3
x+
For: y = x - 3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
Same gradient
=
Parallel lines
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
-4
-5
7
6
m = 0 and b = + 2
4x
For: y = 1 x + 1
2
m = 1 and b = + 1
2
y-axis
They all cross here
5
4
3
2
y =
0.5
x+
y = 2
For: y = 4 - x
m = - 1 and b = + 4
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-2
Same point
=
Concurrent lines
-3
16
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Your Turn
Linear Relationships
Comparing graphs
1
C
ompare the gradients for each of the following pairs of linear equations
and tick whether they are parallel or not parallel.
Remember:
Parallel lines have
the same gradient
y = 2x + 3 and y = 1 + 2x
Parallel
Parallel
y = x and y = 1 + 1 x
3
3
Not Parallel
y - 2x = 2 and y = 2 - 2x
Not Parallel
Parallel
Not Parallel
In each of these, one linear equation has already been graphed but not labelled.
Compare the gradient of the graphed equation with the un-graphed equation.
Tick whether they would be parallel or not parallel when graphed on the same set of axes.
psst!: You can graph the other equation if it helps!
y = x + 4
Parallel
Not Parallel
y-axis
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
HS
AP
GR
Linear Relationships
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0...
..../...../2
G
IN
AR
P
M
CO
-3
HS
AP
GR
NG
RI
PA
M
CO
-2
HS
AP
GR
G
IN
AR
MP
CO
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
HS
AP
GR
G
IN
AR
MP
CO
x + y = 4 and y = x - 4
Not Parallel
Parallel
SERIES
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17
Your Turn
Linear Relationships
Comparing graphs
b
y = 2 x - 2
3
y-axis
Parallel
Not Parallel
Parallel
Not Parallel
Parallel
Not Parallel
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
3y = 9x
y-axis
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
2y + 2 = - 3x
y-axis
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
18
SERIES
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Linear Relationships
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Your Turn
Linear Relationships
Comparing graphs
3 (i) Sketch each of the three linear equations on the same set of axes
(ii) Tick whether they would be concurrent or not concurrent
a
y = x , x = 4 , 4 = 2x - 4
Concurrent
Not Concurrent
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
Remember:
Concurrent lines all pass
through the same point
y-axis
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
b y = 1 x , y = 1 , y = 1- x
2
Concurrent
Not Concurrent
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
c
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
3y + 6 = 6x , x = 2 , 2y + 8 = 6x
Concurrent
y-axis
Not Concurrent
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
y-axis
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
Linear Relationships
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19
Linear Relationships
=
4-
m = 1 and b = + 1
y-axis
y=
2x
+
For: y = 2x + 1
5
4
For: y = 4 - x
m = - 1 and b = + 4
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
Draw vertical and horizontal lines from the intersection point to the axes to find the coordinates
(ii) Write down their point of intersection
y-axis
+1
4x
y=
2x
6
5
4
Point of intersection
(1 , 3)
3
2
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
The intersection of horizontal and vertical graphs is easily found by combining their equations.
Write down the point of intersection for the lines x = 4 and y = 1
` Point of intersection is simply: (4 , 1)
x = 4
20
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y =1
Linear Relationships
y-axis
6
5
4
3
2
2y
x+
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
x = 6
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
b = 2
` when x = 6 , y = 6 - 3
= 3
Linear Relationships
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21
Your Turn
Linear Relationships
SECTION
ER
..../.
y = 3 - x and y = 2x
y = 2x - 2 and y = - x + 4
y-axis
y-axis
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
-3
SERIES
TOPIC
y-axis
1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-2
-3
-3
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
Point of intersection: (
Linear Relationships
Mathletics Passport
x = - 3 and y = - 2x - 1
y-axis
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
Point of intersection: (
y = 3 and x = - 1
Point of intersection: (
22
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
0...
1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
Point of intersection: (
..../2
*
* * INT
(i) Graph each pair of equations below on the same number plane
(ii) Write the coordinates of their point of intersection
1
R GRAPH
EA
TWO LI
N
OF
3P Learning
Your Turn
Linear Relationships
y = x + 2 and y = 3 x
5
y = 1 x + 2 and y = 3 x + 6
2
2
y-axis
y-axis
1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-2
-2
-3
-3
Point of intersection: (
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
Point of intersection: (
y = x - 2 and y = 4 - x
2
y-axis
1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-2
-3
-3
Point of intersection: (
Linear Relationships
Mathletics Passport
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
Point of intersection: (
y = - x and 4y = 12x + 16
y-axis
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
3P Learning
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23
Your Turn
Linear Relationships
Two snails have spotted the best lettuce in the garden and are travelling in straight lines towards it.
Slidy Sam is following the path y = 2 - 2x
Slippery Shelly is following the path 2y = - x - 2
y-axis
Rememb
4
3
er me?
B
C
E
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
(iii) Sluggy Steve is also in the garden sliding towards a lettuce along the path 2y = 3x - 12 .
Show that Sluggy Steve is not moving towards the same lettuce as the two snails by graphing his path.
Which lettuce is Sluggy Steve moving towards?
(iv) Write down the linear equations for two different paths that pass through the centre of three lettuces.
AW
ME
ESO *
ME
ESO *
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Linear Relationships
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AW
24
../20...
..../...
Your Turn
Linear Relationships
Dani and Reece both rode their bicycles through a park twice at different times of the day.
Dani rode along the following paths: y = 2 - 6x and y + x = - 3
Reece rode along the following paths:
6y = 12 - x and 3y = 9x - 21
y-axis
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
(iii) Write down all the coordinates where Danis paths crossed with Reeces.
(iv) Write two equations for different paths through the park that only cross through one of Reeces paths.
Linear Relationships
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25
Your Turn
Linear Relationships
Reflection Time
Reflecting on the work covered within this booklet:
1
What useful skills have you gained by learning about linear relationships?
Write about one or two ways you think you could apply linear relationships to a real life situation.
3 If you discovered or learnt about any shortcuts to help with linear relationships or some other cool
facts, jot them down here:
26
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Linear Relationships
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Cheat Sheet
Linear Relationships
y = mx + b
7
y-intercept
6
5
Intersection points
(where lines cross)
x-intercept
3
2
1
2 x+
= 3
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
-1
2
Parallel lines
(same gradient)
x-axis
1 2 3 4 5
Negative gradient
(sloping down)
-2
-3
2 -4
2 x-5
= 3
Positive gradient
(sloping up)
-6
Linear Relationships
Mathletics Passport
3P Learning
SERIES
TOPIC
27
Linear Relationships
28
SERIES
TOPIC
Notes
Linear Relationships
Mathletics Passport
3P Learning
Linear Relationships
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