This key facts covers Special Cases within Gradient & Intercept for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Gradient & Intercept in Graphs for GCSE Mathematics with 10 exam-style questions and 20 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 8 of 9 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Special Cases
| Type | Gradient | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steep positive | Large positive (>1) | Rises quickly | m = 5 |
| Gentle positive | Small positive (0| Rises slowly |
m = 0.2 |
|
| Steep negative | Large negative (<-1) | Falls quickly | m = -4 |
| Gentle negative | Small negative (-1| Falls slowly |
m = -0.5 |
|
| Horizontal | Zero | No rise or fall | m = 0 |
| Vertical | Undefined | Infinite steepness | x = constant |
Practice questions for Gradient & Intercept
The gradient of a straight line is calculated by:
A graph shows the distance (km) travelled by a car plotted against time (hours). The line has gradient 80. What does the gradient represent in this context?
Quick recall flashcards
What is the x-intercept?
The point where a line crosses the x-axis. Found by setting y = 0.
What is the y-intercept?
The point where a line crosses the y-axis. Found by setting x = 0.