Linear Graphs

Scheme of work: GCSE Foundation: Year 10: Term 5: Linear Graphs

Prerequisite Knowledge

  • Describe positions on a 2-D grid as coordinates in the first quadrant.
  • Describe positions on the full coordinate grid (all four quadrants)
  • Recognise and describe linear number sequences, including those involving fractions and decimals, and find the term-to-term rule.
  • Generate and describe linear number sequences

Success Criteria

  • Interpret simple expressions as functions with inputs and outputs;
  • Work with coordinates in all four quadrants
  • Plot graphs of equations that correspond to straight-line graphs in the coordinate plane;
  • Use the form y = mx + c to identify parallel lines
  • Find the equation of the line through two given points, or through one point with a given gradient
  • Identify and interpret gradients and intercepts of linear functions graphically and algebraically

Key Concepts

  • The gradient measures the rate of vertical change divided by horizontal change.
  • Parallel lines have the same gradient
  • The intercept always has the x value equal zero.

Common Misconceptions

  • Students often confuse linear graphs with having the same notation as statistical graphs.
  • The gradient can be calculated from any two points along the graph. Not necessarily from the origin.
  • A linear function does not have to pass through the origin.
  • It is beneficial to create a table of results when plotting a linear function. The coordinate pairs arise from the x and y values.

Linear Graphs Resources

Mr Mathematics Blog

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