Free taster
5 of 6 sections open
Reading the Map of a Line
🧭 Reading the Map of a Line
Every straight line has two crucial pieces of information written into its DNA - its gradient (how steep it climbs) and its intercepts (where it meets the axes). These are like the coordinates on a treasure map, telling you exactly where you are and which direction you're heading!
Mastering gradients and intercepts gives you the power to decode any linear relationship.
What is the y-intercept?: The point where a line crosses the y-axis. Found by setting x = 0.
Mathematics glossary
- What is the y-intercept?
- The point where a line crosses the y-axis. Found by setting x = 0.
- What is the x-intercept?
- The point where a line crosses the x-axis. Found by setting y = 0.
Earn the mark scheme marks
💡 Exam Tips for Gradients and Intercepts
- Be careful with signs: Check if gradients are positive or negative
- Simplify fractions: Express gradients in simplest form
- Use clear points: Choose points where grid lines intersect when reading from graphs
- Show working: Always write out the gradient calculation formula
- Check your answer: Does the gradient direction match what you see?
- Label intercepts: Write coordinates as ordered pairs (x, y)
Now try it yourself
Quiz · Question 1 of 10
The gradient of a straight line is calculated by:
Tap an answer to check it
This topic in real past papers
Every real exam question we've found on gradient & intercept, with a full worked answer.