Maths
>
GCSE
>
Rates of Change
>
How do you...
2 years ago
·
196 Replies
·
8293 views
Vickie Shanahan
196 Answers
The rate of change on a line graph is called the gradient and is calculated by the change in y axis/ change in x axis. What this means is that you find 2 points on the line and find the difference between the y coordinates and divide that by the difference in x axis.
Qualified Teacher, Tutor, Examiner, STEM ambassador and Xprize Alumni
4 reviews
if you are given a graph then draw a tangent as accurately as you can(doesn't matter if its perfect) and use change in y divided by change in x for your straight line to get the gradient which is the rate of change. just watch your units it will ber per second or per minute, something like that depending on the experiment
I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!
Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.The rate of change is how much one quantity changes per unit of another amount. Normally this is how much y changes for every set amount that x increases or decreases. This is the same as the gradient (in straight lines gradient is fixed and is shown as m in y=mx+c, in other graphs, the gradient changes). This can be calculated by having two points each with x and y coordinates. y1-y2 divded by x1-x2.
The rate of change is difference of y divided by difference of x. In other words it is the derivative at a given point.
The rate of change is also known as the gradient or slope.
Rate of change = (change in quantity 1) / (change in quantity 2)
Given 2 points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2), the rate of change between them is:
Δy / Δx = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
The rate of change = change in y over change in x , if you are given 2 coordinates e.g (2,0) (3,3) and you want to find the rate of change. You would simply do 3-0 / 3-1 which would give you 3/2. This will give you a gradient y=3/2x + c. To find c you would simply sub one of the coordinates back in to this equation.
Rate of Change is a general concept and it is applied in various subjects like Maths and Science. Let's understand it by taking an example.
In Time T, I reached from D1 to D2. What is the Rate of change.
So for this, Let's calculate
the Change in Distance= D2-D1
time taken = T
So, Rate of Change = (D2-D1)/ T
i.e change in distance per unit time. This is Rate of change.
If you're dealing with a function, you can use differentiation to find the first derivative, which is exactly the rate of change of the function.
Take the variable that is changing over a period of time, making note of the first time point and second time point. Subtract this variable at the first time point from the variable at the second time point. Then, take this value and divide it by the difference in time between the two points to get the rate of change.
Rate of change can be calculated by the amount of a specific quantity is changing by the time it took for the change to hapen. A common example in physics in speed which is simply rate of change of position(or distance). If a car changes its position by 20 miles in 30 minnutes then its average speed(or rate of change of position) is 20miles divided by 30min(or 0.5 hr) which is 40 miles per hr
Rate is defined as ‘per unit time’
The rate of change of a physical quantity is defined as the change of that physical quantity per unit time.
To find the rate of change, divide the rate of change of the physical quantity by the time interval.
On a graph of physical quantity against time, rate of change would be the gradient.
The change in the y axis divided by the change in the x-axis
Exceptional Maths tutor with specialist knowledge in KS3 and GCSE Maths
The rate of change is given by the change in y over the change in x. It explains how the variable plotted on the y axis changes in respect to x. For example on a distance time graph the rate of change is given by the change in distance over time so therefore is speed.
I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!
Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.The rate of change of a quantity is found using calculus, specifically by finding the derivative of the function that describes the quantity with respect to the variable of interest.
For a function y=f(x):
Think you can help?
Get started with a free online introductions with an experienced and qualified online tutor on Sherpa.
Find a GCSE Maths Tutor