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## Linear patterns, relationships and graphs

We have looked at some ways in which two quantities relate to each other. and we have seen how the whole message can be shown on a graph. Two quantities often relate to each other in a way that forms a clear pattern. The next two sections deal with these patterns in table and graph form.

## Plotting points on a grid

Plotting points means that we need to plot the values of an ordered pair. An ordered pair gives us the exact position on a grid, for example: (5; 4). That the first number in an ordered pair is the horizontal coordinate and the second number is the vertical coordinate:

(horizontal; vertical)

Method:

To plot the point representing the ordered pair (5; 4):

1. Start at the origin (0; 0).

2. Move along the horizontal $$x$$-axis until you reach 5.

3. Move upwards until you are in line with 4 on the vertical $$y$$-axis.

4. Draw a dot whether the grid lines cross.

Definition 1: Ordered pair
Two numbers written in a particular order so that they give the location of a point on a grid. an ordered pair is also known as a coordinate pair.

### Example 1: Plotting points

#### Question

The number of visitors to a new museum increases by 150 visitors each month for 6 months.

 Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 Number of visitors 150 300 450 600 750 900
1. Write down a set of ordered pairs for this relationship.
2. Plot the points on a graph grid.
3. Would you connect the points with a solid line? Explain.
4. Which quantity is the dependent variable, and which is the independent variable? Explain your answer.

1. From the table, we get the following list of ordered pairs: (1; 150) (2; 300) (3; 450) (4; 600) (5; 750) (6; 900)
2. For each point we start at the origin, move across the horizontal $$x$$-axis to find the first number and move up the right number of spaces on the vertical $$y$$-axis to find the next number, then draw a dot to plot the point.
3. The points should not be connected by a solid line, because the values are discrete (there are no possible values in between them).
4. The month is the independent variable and the number of visitors is the dependent variable, because the number of visitors increases each month.

## Linear relationships and graphs

Some relationships between quantities give patterns that form linear graphs. How do we recognise a linear relationship?

A linear relationship forms a straight line when the points are plotted.

### Exercise 1: Linear relationships

This graph shows the cost of potatoes per weight.

1. Using the above graph, complete the table showing the same relationship:

 Weight of potatoes (kg) 5 10 15 20 25 Cost (R) 100 400 600
2. What will 7,5 kg of potatoes cost? Read this from the graph.

3. If you spend R 300, what is the weight of potatoes you have bought?

4. Identify the independent and dependent variables on the graph.

1.  Weight of potatoes (kg) 5 10 15 20 25 30 Cost (R) 100 200 300 400 500 600
2. R 150
3. 15 kg
4. Weight is the independent variable. Price is the dependent variable.

The relationship between the distance that a car travels and the time it takes is shown in the table below.

 Distance travelled (km) 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 Time (minutes) 0 30 60 90 120 150 180
1. Copy and complete the graph of distance travelled against time, using the values in the table.

2. Write down the speed of the car in kilometres per hour.

1. 100 km per hour.

This table shows the amount of money that a municipality charges for the amount of electricity that a household uses.

 Number of units of electricity 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 Cost (cents) 0 110 220 330 440 550 660
1. Where will the graph start? Explain how you know this.

2. Plot a graph using these values.

3. Why is this graph continuous (there are no gaps between the points)?

4. We say that the cost depends on the number of units of electricity used. Explain why this is. What pattern do you see in the table?

5. Is this graph going up (increasing), going down (decreasing) or staying the same (constant)? Give a reason for your answer.

1. at 0 units and 0 cents, at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical axes. We know this because we are given the minimum values, where both variables are equal to zero.

2. Because every number of units of electricity used will be charged for. There is no quantity of electricity usage which does not have cost.

3. Cost increases as the number of units of electricity increases. The more electricity is used, the more you have to pay.

4. The graph is increasing. It has an upward slope, that indicates that the cost per unit increases as the number of units used increases.