6.1 Quantity Represented by the Gradient of a Graph
The gradient of graph is the rate of change of a quantity on the vertical axis with respect to the change of another quantity on the horizontal axis.
(A) Distance – Time Graph
1. The gradient of a distance-time graph is speed.
2.
(a) From O to P: Gradient = positive
(b) From P to Q: Gradient = 0 → (The object stopped moving)
(c) From Q to R: Gradient = negative → (The object is travelling in an opposite direction from the original direction).
3.
3.
Example 1:
The diagram above shows a graph of distance-time for the motion of a car. Find the speed of the car for the first 6 second.
Solution:
The speed of the car for the first 6 seconds
= Gradient