GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- GCSE & IGCSE Mathematics
- Real-life graphs
Real-life graphs
Graphs of journeys, costs and filling containers tell a story. Reading them carefully earns easy marks.
Distance-time graphs
The gradient is the speed. A flat section means stopped. A steeper line means faster.
Velocity-time graphs
The gradient is the acceleration. The area underneath is the distance travelled.
Conversion and cost graphs
A straight line through the origin shows direct proportion, such as converting pounds to euros.
A line that starts above the origin has a fixed charge, such as a taxi that charges £3 plus £2 per mile.
A line that starts above the origin has a fixed charge, such as a taxi that charges £3 plus £2 per mile.
A taxi costs £3 plus £2 per mile. What is the cost of a 7-mile journey?
- Cost = 3 + 2 × 7
- = £17
Answer: £17
On distance-time graphs, gradient is speed. On velocity-time graphs, gradient is acceleration and area is distance. A line through the origin shows direct proportion.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.