Graphs in practical situations
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| gradient | 斜率 | xié lǜ |
| acceleration | 加速度 | jiā sù dù |
| conversion graph | 换算图 | huàn suàn tú |
Reading the story in a graph
- A distance–time graph is not just a line — it's a story of a journey. A steep section means fast travel; a flat section means stopped.
- Every graph tells a story through its shape and gradient 斜率.
Distance–time graphs
- Gradient = speed (distance ÷ time).
- Steeper line = faster speed.
- Flat line = stationary (not moving).
- Curved line = changing speed (accelerating or decelerating).
A car travels 60 km in 2 hours, stops for 30 minutes, then returns in 1.5 hours. The graph has three sections: slope up, flat, slope down.
On a distance-time graph the gradient is the speed; a flat section means the object has stopped
Real-life graphs
y = ax + b
A distance–time or cost graph is read from its gradient and its intercept.
On a distance–time graph, the gradient represents the:
Distance ÷ time = speed, which is the gradient.
On a distance–time graph, a flat (horizontal) section means the object is stationary.
A flat section has gradient 0, meaning distance is not changing — the object is not moving.
Speed–time graphs (Extended)
- Gradient = acceleration 加速度 (change in speed ÷ time).
- Area under the graph = total distance travelled.
The area under a speed–time graph gives the distance: triangle $+$ rectangle $= 80 + 240 = 320$ m.
Area, not height. The distance is the area under the graph, not the speed reading. A car going 20 m/s for 12 s covers $20 \times 12 = 240$ m — the rectangle's area.
A car speeds up from rest to 20 m/s in 8 s. What is the acceleration (m/s²)?
acceleration = 20/8 = 2.5 m/s² (the gradient of the speed–time graph).
On a speed–time graph, the ______ under the graph gives the distance travelled.
The area under a speed-time graph equals distance (speed × time, integrated over the duration).
Worked example
- A car accelerates from rest to 20 m/s in 8 s, then travels at 20 m/s for 12 s.
- Acceleration $= \dfrac{20}{8} = 2.5$ m/s² (the gradient of the first section).
- Distance $= \dfrac{1}{2}(8)(20) + (12)(20) = 80 + 240 = 320$ m (area of triangle + rectangle).
On a speed-time graph the gradient is the acceleration and the area underneath is the distance travelled
Then it stays at 20 m/s for 12 s. Total distance = ½(8)(20) + 12(20). What is it (m)?
Area = triangle 80 + rectangle 240 = 320 m.
Conversion graphs 换算图
- A conversion graph is a straight line that converts between two units.
- Miles to km: draw a line through $(0, 0)$ and $(5, 8)$ (5 miles ≈ 8 km).
- Read across from one axis, up/down to the line, then across to the other axis.
A conversion graph passes through (0, 0) and (5, 8) for miles to km. How many km is 10 miles?
Gradient = 8/5 = 1.6 km per mile. 10 miles = 10 × 1.6 = 16 km.
You've got it
- distance–time: gradient $=$ speed; flat $=$ stationary
- speed–time: gradient $=$ acceleration; area $=$ distance
- a conversion graph converts between two units via a straight line