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Algebra - Coordinate Geometry: y = mx + c

Grade 8IGCSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

The Cartesian Plane: A system of coordinates using x (horizontal) and y (vertical) axes.

The Equation of a Straight Line: Expressed as y=mx+cy = mx + c.

Gradient (m): Represents the steepness or slope of the line. Positive mm slopes upwards, negative mm slopes downwards.

y-intercept (c): The point where the line crosses the y-axis (where x=0x = 0).

Parallel Lines: Two lines are parallel if they have the same gradient (m1=m2m_1 = m_2).

Horizontal Lines: Have an equation y=ky = k and a gradient of 0.

Vertical Lines: Have an equation x=kx = k and an undefined gradient.

📐Formulae

Gradient formula: m=y2y1x2x1m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} (Rise over Run)

General form of a linear equation: y=mx+cy = mx + c

Midpoint of a line segment: M=(x1+x22,y1+y22)M = (\frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2})

Distance between two points: d=(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

Identify the gradient and y-intercept of the line with the equation y=4x+7y = -4x + 7.

Solution:

Gradient (mm) = -4, y-intercept (cc) = 7.

Explanation:

Compare the given equation to the standard form y=mx+cy = mx + c. Here, the coefficient of xx is -4 and the constant term is 7.

Problem 2:

Find the gradient of the line passing through the points A(2,3)A(2, 3) and B(5,12)B(5, 12).

Solution:

m=3m = 3

Explanation:

Using the gradient formula m=y2y1x2x1m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}, we get m=12352=93=3m = \frac{12 - 3}{5 - 2} = \frac{9}{3} = 3.

Problem 3:

Rearrange the equation 3x+2y=83x + 2y = 8 into the form y=mx+cy = mx + c and state the gradient.

Solution:

y=32x+4y = -\frac{3}{2}x + 4; Gradient = -1.5

Explanation:

Subtract 3x3x from both sides to get 2y=3x+82y = -3x + 8. Divide every term by 2 to isolate yy: y=32x+4y = -\frac{3}{2}x + 4.

Problem 4:

Find the equation of a line that has a gradient of 2 and passes through the point (3,10)(3, 10).

Solution:

y=2x+4y = 2x + 4

Explanation:

Substitute m=2m = 2, x=3x = 3, and y=10y = 10 into y=mx+cy = mx + c: 10=2(3)+c10 = 2(3) + c. This simplifies to 10=6+c10 = 6 + c, so c=4c = 4. Plug mm and cc back into the general form.

Problem 5:

Determine if the lines y=5x2y = 5x - 2 and 10x2y=410x - 2y = 4 are parallel.

Solution:

Yes, they are parallel.

Explanation:

The first line has a gradient of 5. Rearranging the second line: 2y=10x+4y=5x2-2y = -10x + 4 \Rightarrow y = 5x - 2. Since both lines have the same gradient (m=5m=5), they are parallel.