Key learning points

1. For straight-line sections of a graph, it is easy to calculate the gradient.
2. The gradient tells us the rate that one quantity changes with respect to the other.
3. The gradient gives the rate that the $$y$$ variable changes with respect to the $$x$$ variable.
4. The gradient can be interpreted in context and should be for real life contexts.

Keywords

• Rate of change - The rate of change is how one variable changes with respect to another. If the change is constant, there is a linear relationship between the variables.

• Gradient - The gradient is a measure of how steep a line is. It is calculated by finding the rate of change in the $$y$$-direction with respect to the positive $$x$$-direction.

Common misconception