2017

Year 10
General Mathematics
Chapter 1: Linear Relations and Equations
Chapter 10: Linear Graphs and Models
This topic includes:
In this area of study students cover representation and manipulation of linear relations and equations, and their
applications in a range of contexts.

Key knowledge
the forms of linear relations and equations including literal linear equations
the rules of linear functions and tables of values
the properties of linear functions and their graphs
the concept of a linear model and its properties
the concepts of interpolation and extrapolation

Key skills
solve linear equations including literal linear equations
construct tables of values from a given formula
solve word problems that involve the setting up and solving of a linear equations.
develop a linear model to represent and analyse a practical situation and specify its domain of
application
interpret the slope and the intercept of a straight-line graph in terms of its context and use the equation
to make predictions with consideration of limitations of extrapolation

Chapter Sections Questions to be completed

1.2 Linear Relations 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16

1.3 Solving Linear Equations 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18

1.4 Developing Linear Equations 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 21

10.2 Linear functions and graphs 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13ac, 14, 15ace, 17, 19, 23, 24

10.3 Linear Modelling 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12, 15, 17

10.4 Linear equations and Predictions 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 14, 15

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GENERAL MATHEMATICS 2017

Table of Contents
THIS TOPIC INCLUDES: 1
KEY KNOWLEDGE 1
KEY SKILLS 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2
1.2 LINEAR RELATIONS 3
IDENTIFYING LINEAR RELATIONS 3
RULES FOR LINEAR RELATIONS 3
WORKED EXAMPLE 2 3
TRANSPOSING LINEAR EQUATIONS 4
WORKED EXAMPLE 3 4
1.3 SOLVING LINEAR EQUATIONS 5
SOLVING LINEAR EQUATIONS WITH ONE VARIABLE 5
WORKED EXAMPLE 4 5
SUBSTITUTING INTO LINEAR EQUATIONS 6
WORKED EXAMPLE 5 6
LITERAL LINEAR EQUATIONS 6
WORKED EXAMPLE 6 6
1.4 DEVELOPING LINEAR EQUATIONS 7
DEVELOPING LINEAR EQUATIONS FROM WORD DESCRIPTIONS 7
WORKED EXAMPLE 7 7
WORD PROBLEMS WITH MORE THAN ONE UNKNOWN 7
WORKED EXAMPLE 8 7
TABLES OF VALUES 8
WORKED EXAMPLE 9 8
LINEAR RELATIONS DEFINED RECURSIVELY 9
WORKED EXAMPLE 10 9
WORKED EXAMPLE 11 9
10.2 LINEAR FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS 10
LINEAR FUNCTIONS 10
THE GRADIENT OF A LINEAR FUNCTION 10
- AND -INTERCEPTS 10
GRADIENTINTERCEPT FORM 10
WORKED EXAMPLE 1 11
DETERMINING THE GRADIENT FROM A GRAPH 11
WORKED EXAMPLE 2 12
FINDING THE GRADIENT GIVEN TWO POINTS 12
WORKED EXAMPLE 3 12
PLOTTING LINEAR GRAPHS 13
WORKED EXAMPLE 4 13
SKETCHING GRAPHS USING THE GRADIENT AND Y-INTERCEPT METHOD 14
WORKED EXAMPLE 5 14
SKETCHING GRAPHS USING THE X- AND Y-INTERCEPTS 15
WORKED EXAMPLE 6 15
10.3 LINEAR MODELLING 16
LINEAR MODELS 16
EXAMPLE 7 ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
SOLVING PRACTICAL PROBLEMS 16
INTERPRETING THE PARAMETERS OF LINEAR MODELS ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

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 LINEAR EQUATIONS, GRAPHS AND MODELS

1.2 Linear Relations

Identifying linear relations
A linear relation is a relationship between two variables that when plotted gives a straight line.
Many real-life situations can be described by linear relations, such as water being added to a tank at a
constant rate, or money being saved when the same amount of money is deposited into a bank at
regular time intervals.

Rules for linear relations

Rules define or describe relationships between two or more variables. Rules for linear relations can be
found by determining the common difference between consecutive terms of the pattern formed by the
rule.
Consider the number pattern 3, 6, 9 and 12. This pattern is formed by adding 3 (the common
difference is 3). If each number in the pattern is assigned a term number as shown in the table, then
the expression to represent the common difference is 3 (i.e. 3 ).
n 1 2 3 4
3n 3 6 9 12

So, the rule for this number pattern is 3.

Now, consider the number pattern 4, 7, 10 and 13. This pattern is also formed by adding 3. But it has
a starting value of 4 not 3 so the rule for this number pattern is 3 + 1
If a rule has an equals sign, it is described as an equation. For example, 3 + 1 is referred to as an
expression, but if we define the term number as , then = 3 + 1 is an equation.

Worked Example 2
Find the equations for the linear relations formed by the following number patterns.
a) 3, 7, 11, 15

b) 8, 5, 2, 1

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GENERAL MATHEMATICS 2017

Note: It is good practice to substitute a second term number into your equation to check that your
answer is correct.

Transposing linear equations

If we are given a linear equation between two variables, we are able to transpose (re-arrange) this
relationship to express it in terms of either variable. That is, we can change the equation so that the
variable on the right-hand side of the equation becomes the stand-alone variable on the left-hand side
of the equation.
Worked Example 3
Transpose the linear equation = 4 + 7 to make the subject of the equation.

On the CAS

On a blank calculator page

c11 (remember we use documents, never scratchpad)
Type:
solve( = 4 + 7, )
Press , the answer will be shown. The top one is if the
calculator is set to approximate and the bottom exact or
auto
To change this, c 52, calculation mode (5th one down)

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 LINEAR EQUATIONS, GRAPHS AND MODELS

1.3 Solving linear equations

Solving linear equations with one variable
To solve linear equations with one variable, all operations performed on the variable need to be
identified in order, and then the opposite operations need to be performed in reverse order.
In practical problems, solving linear equations can answer everyday questions such as the time
required to have a certain amount in the bank, the time taken to travel a certain distance, or the
number of participants needed to raise a certain amount of money for charity.
Worked Example 4
Solve the following linear equations to find the unknowns.
:;<=
a) 5 = 12 b) 8 + 11 = 20 c) 12 = 4(-3) d) =5
>

On the CAS Worked Example 4(c) and 4(d)

On a blank calculator page

c11 (remember we use documents, never scratchpad)
Type:
solve(12 = 4( 3), ) then press

:;<=
solve( = 5, ) then press
>

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GENERAL MATHEMATICS 2017
Substituting into linear equations
If we are given a linear equation between two variables and we are given the value of one of the
variables, we can substitute this into the equation to determine the other value.
Worked Example 5
Substitute = 3 into the linear equation = 2 + 5 to determine the value of .

On the CAS
On a blank calculator page
c11 (remember we use documents, never scratchpad)
Type:
solve( = 2 + 5, )|x=3
then press

The | tells the CAS the value of in the equation

The solve function reads solve(the equation, for the
variable)when the other variable is this

Literal linear equations

A literal equation is an equation that includes several pronumerals or variables. Literal equations
often represent real-life situations.
The equation = + is an example of a literal linear equation that represents the general form
of a straight line. To solve literal linear equations, you need to isolate the variable you are trying to
solve for.
Worked Example 6
Solve the linear literal equation y = mx + c for x.

On a blank calculator page

c11 (remember we use documents, never scratchpad)
Type:
solve( = + , )
then press

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 LINEAR EQUATIONS, GRAPHS AND MODELS

1.4 Developing linear equations

Developing linear equations from word descriptions
To write a worded statement as a linear equation, we must first identifythe unknown and choose a
pronumeral to represent it. We can then use the information given in the statement to write a linear
equation in terms of the pronumeral.

The linear equation can then be solved as before, and we can use the result to answer the original
question.

Worked Example 7
Cans of soft drinks are sold at SupaSave in packs of 12 costing $5.40. Form
and solve a linear equation to determine the price of 1 can of soft drink.

Word problems with more than one unknown

In some instances, a word problem might contain more than one unknown. If we can express both
unknowns in terms of the same pronumeral, we can create a linear equation as before and solve it to
determine the value of both unknowns.

Worked Example 8
Georgina is counting the numberof insects and spiders, she can find in her back garden. All insects
have6 legs and all spiders have 8 legs. In total, Georgina finds 43 bugs with a total of 290 legs. Form
a linear equation to determine exactly how many insects and spiders Georgina found.

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GENERAL MATHEMATICS 2017
Tables of values
Tables of values can be generated from formulas by entering given values of one variable into the
formula. Tables of values can be used to solve problems and to draw graphs representing situations (as
covered in more detail in Chapter 10).

Worked Example 9
The amount of water that is filling a tank is found by the rule W = 100t + 20, where W is the amount
of water in the tank in litres and t is the time in hours.

a) Generate a table of values that shows the amount of water, W, in the tank every hour for the
first 8 hours (i.e. t = 0, 1, 2, 3, ..., 8).

b) Using your table, how long in hours will it take for there to be over 700 litres in the tank?

On a blank list & spreadsheet page

c14
Enter a label of time in the first column and type in the time
values 0 to 8
Enter the label water into the second column
In the first cell in the water column enter:
= 100 1 + 20 then press
The answer should be 20

Highlight the b1 cell (the answer 20) (it will go blue)

Now press b 33 to use the fill down function and press
the down arrow until the time value is 8 and the press to
apply the equation to all the cells

b) Look for the value of the Water that is over 700 and read off
the value of the time.

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 LINEAR EQUATIONS, GRAPHS AND MODELS
Linear relations defined recursively
Many sequences of numbers are obtained by following rules that define a relationship between any
one term and the previous term. Such a relationship is known as a recurrence relation.
A term in such a sequence is defined as tn, with n denoting the place in the sequence. The term tn 1
is the previous term in the sequence.

Worked Example 10
A linear recurrence relation is given by the formula = 1 + 6, 1 = 5. Write the first six terms
of the sequence.

Worked Example 11
The weekly rent on an inner-city apartment increases by $10 every year. In a certain year the weekly
rent is $310.
a) Model this situation by setting up a linear recurrence relation between the weekly rental prices in
consecutive years.

b) Fine the weekly rent for the first six years.

On a blank list & spreadsheet page
c14
Enter a label of year in the first column and type in the year
values 1 to 6
Enter the label rent into the second column
In the first cell in the rent column enter 310
In the second cell (b2) enter the equation
= 310 + 10 then press
Then fill down the equation (b33)

c) Find an expression for the weekly rent (r) in the nth year.

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GENERAL MATHEMATICS 2017

10.2 Linear functions and graphs

Linear functions
A function is a relationship between a set of inputs and outputs, such that each input is related to
exactly one output. A function of is denoted as (). Each input and output can be expressed as an
ordered pair, i.e. (, ()) where is the input and () the output. A linear function is a set of
ordered pairs that form a straight line when graphed.
The gradient of a linear function
The gradient (or slope) of a straight-line function, determines the change in the () value for each
change in -value. The gradient can be found by analysing the equation, by examining the graph or by
finding the change in values if two points are given. The gradient is typically represented with the
pronumeral .
A positive gradient means that the () value is
increasing as the -value increases, and a negative
gradient means that the () value is decreasing as
the -value increases.
E
A gradient of means that there for every increase
F
of b in the x-value, there is an increase of a in the y-
=
value. For example, a gradient of means that for
>
every increase of 3 in the x-value, t he y-value
increases by 2. (Recall, the gradient is also known as
GHIJ
the ).
GKL

- and -intercepts
The -intercept of a linear function is the point where the graph of the
equation crosses the -axis. This occurs when = 0.
The -intercept of a linear function is the point where the graph of the
equation crosses the -axis. This occurs when = 0.
In the graph of = + 3, we can see that the -intercept isat (-3, 0)
and the -intercept is at (0, 3). These points canalso, be determined
algebraically by putting = 0 and = 0 into the equation.
Gradientintercept form
All linear equations relating the variables and can be rearranged into the form = + , where
is the gradient. This is known as the gradientintercept form of the equation.
If a linear equation is in gradientintercept form, the number and sign in front of the -value gives the
value of the gradient of the equation. For example, in = 4 + 5, the gradient is 4.
The value of in linear equations written in gradientintercept form is the -intercept of the equation.
This is because the -intercept occurs when = 0, and when = 0 the equation simplifies to = .
The value of in = 4 + 5 is 5.

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 LINEAR EQUATIONS, GRAPHS AND MODELS
Worked Example 1
State the gradients and y-intercepts of the following linear equations.
a) = 5 + 2

b) 2 = 4-6

On a blank calculator page

c11
solve(2 = 4 6, )
then press

so the gradient is 2 and the y-intercept is 3

Determining the gradient from a graph

The value of the gradient can be found from a graph of
a linear function. The gradient can be found by
selecting two points on the line, then finding the
change in the -values and dividing by the change in
the -values.

In other words, the general rule to find the value of a

gradient that passes through the points (1, 1) and
(2, 2) is:

OP <OQ
For all horizontal lines the -values will be equal, so the numerator of will be 0. Therefore, the
;P <;Q
gradient of vertical lines is 0.
OP <OQ
For all vertical lines the -values will be equal, so the denominator of will be 0. Dividing a value
;P <;Q
by 0 is undefined; therefore, the gradient of vertical lines is undefined.

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GENERAL MATHEMATICS 2017
Worked Example 2
Find the values of the gradients of the following graphs.
a) b)

Finding the gradient given two points

If a graph is not provided, we can still find the gradient if we are given two points that the line passes
through. The same formula is used to find the gradient by finding the difference in the two -
coordinates and the difference in the two -coordinates:
For example, the gradient of the line that passes through the points (1, 1) and (4, 3) is
= R 3 1 2
= = =
= R 4 1 3
Worked Example 3
Find the value of the gradients of the linear graphs that pass through the following points.
a) (4,6) and (5,9)

b) (2, -1) and (0,5)

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 LINEAR EQUATIONS, GRAPHS AND MODELS
Plotting linear graphs
Linear graphs can be constructed by plotting the points and then
ruling a line between the points as shown in the diagram.
If the points or a table of values are not given, then the points can be
found by substituting x-values into the rule and finding the
corresponding y-values. If a table of values is provided, then the graph
can be constructed by plotting the points given and joining them.
Worked Example 4
Construct a linear graph that passes through the points (1, 2), (0, 4),
(1, 6) and (3, 10):
a) without technology
b) using CAS.

a)

b)

On a blank list & spreadsheet page
c14
Enter a label of x in the first column and type in the x values -1, 0, 1,
3
Enter the label y into the second column enter the corresponding y-
values to the x-values entered above

Add a new Data and

Statistics page (/~5)
e to enter the x-axis and
e again to enter the y-axis

Press b21 to connect
the data points with a line.
Alternatively, press
b461 to fit a straight
line to the data points

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GENERAL MATHEMATICS 2017
Sketching graphs using the gradient and y-intercept
method
A linear graph can be constructed by using the gradient and
y-intercept. The y-intercept is marked on the y-axis, and
then another point is found by using the gradient.

Worked Example 5
Using the gradient and the y-intercept, sketch the graph of
each of the following.
>
a) = 2
:

b) A linear graph with a gradient of 3 and a y-intercept of

1
c) y=2x+4

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 LINEAR EQUATIONS, GRAPHS AND MODELS
Sketching graphs using the x- and y-intercepts
If the points of a linear graph where theline crosses the - and -axes (the - and -intercepts) are
known, then the graph can be constructed by marking these points and ruling a line through them.
To find the -intercept, substitute = 0 into the equation and then solve the equation for .
To find the -intercept, substitute = 0 into the equation and then solve the equation for .

Worked Example 6
Find the value of the - and - intercepts for the following linear equations, and hence sketch their
graphs.
a) 3 + 4 = 12
b) = 5

On the CAS
a) Find the x and y intercepts.
On a blank calculator page
c11
Type:
solve 3 + 4 = 12, | = 0
then press to get the x-intercept.

Repeat for solve 3 + 4 = 12, | = 0 to get the y-intercept

b) Repeat for = 5

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GENERAL MATHEMATICS 2017

10.3 Linear modelling

Linear models
Practical problems in which there is a constant change over time can be modelled by linear equations.
The constant change, such as therate at which water is leaking or the hourly rate charged by a
tradesperson, can be represented by the gradient of the equation.
Usually the -value is the changing quantity and the -value is time.
The starting point or initial point of the problemis represented by the y-intercept, when thex-value
is 0. This represents the initial or startingvalue. In situations where there is a negativegradient the
x-intercept represents when there is nothing left, such as the time taken for a leaking water tank to
empty.
Identifying the constant change and the starting point can help to construct a linear equation to
represent a practical problem. Once this equation has been established we can use it to calculate
specific values or to make predictions as required.
Solving practical problems
Once an equation is found to represent the practical problem, solutions to the problem can be found.
When we have determined important values in practical problems, such as the value of the intercepts
and gradient, it is important to be able to relate these back to the problem and to interpret their
meaning. Knowing the equation can also help to find other values related to the problem (at a certain
time for example).
Example 8
A yoga ball is being pumped full of air at a rate of 40 cm3/second. Initially there is 100 cm3 of airin
the ball.
a) Construct an equation that represents the amount of air, A, in the ball after t seconds.




b) Interpret what the value of the y-intercept in the equation means.




c) How much air, in cm3, is in the ball after 2 minutes?

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 LINEAR EQUATIONS, GRAPHS AND MODELS

d) When fully inflated, the ball holds 100 000 cm3 of air. Determine how long, in minutes, it takes to
fully inflate the ball. Write your answer to the nearest minute.






The domain of a linear model
When creating a linear model, it is important to interpret the given informationto determine the
domain of the model, that is, the values for which the model is applicable.
The domains of linear models are usually expressed using the less than or equal to sign () and the
greater than or equal to sign ().
For example, in the previous example about air pumped into a yoga ball at a constant rate, the model
will stop being valid before 100cm3 and after 100 000 cm3 of air is in the yoga ball, so the domain only
includes x-values for when this is true.

Example 9
Express the following situations as linear models and give the domains of the models.
a) Julie works at a department store and is paid $19.20 per hour. She must work for a minimum of 10
hours per week, but due to her study commitments she can work for no more than 20 hours per
week.






b) The results in a driving test are marked out of 100, with 4 marks taken off for every error made on
the course. The lowest possible result is 40 marks.

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GENERAL MATHEMATICS 2017

10.4 Linear equations and predictions

This section is presented from the linear equation perspective. We will cover this from a data and
statistics perspective in Unit 2 Statistics.

Finding the equation of straight lines

Given the gradient and y-intercept
When we are given the gradient and -intercept of a straight line, we can enter these values into the
equation = + to determine the equation of the straight line. Remember that is equal to
the value of the gradient and c is equal to the value of the -intercept.
For example, if we are given a gradient of 3 and a -intercept of 6, then the equation of the straight
line would be = 3 + 6.
Given the gradient and one point
When we are given the gradient and one point of a straight line, we need to establish the value of the
y-intercept to find the equation of the straight line. This can be done by substituting the coordinates
of the given point into the equation = + and then solving for . Remember that is equal
to the value of the gradient, so this can also be substituted into the equation.
Given two points
When we are given two points of a straight line, we can find the value of thegradient of a straight
O <O
line between these points as discussed in Section 10.2 (by using = P Q ). Once the gradient is
;P <;Q
found, we can find the -intercept by substituting one of the points into the equation = + and
then solving for .
Example 10
Find the equations of the following straight lines.
a) A straight line with a gradient of 5 passing through the point (-2, -5)




b) A straight line passing through the points (-3, 4) and (1, 6)

c) A straight line passing through the points (-3, 7) and (0, 7)

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 LINEAR EQUATIONS, GRAPHS AND MODELS
Lines of best fit by eye
Sometimes the data for a practical problem may not be in the form of a perfect linear relationship, but
the data can still be modelled by an approximate linear relationship.
When we are given, a scatterplot representing data that appears to be approximately represented by
a linear relationship, we can draw aline of best fit by eye so that approximately half of the data points
are on either side of the line of best fit.
Lines of best fit by eye
Sometimes the data for a practical problem may not be in
the form of a perfect linear relationship, but the data can
still be modelled by an approximate linear relationship.
When we are given a scatterplot representing data that
appears to be approximately represented by a linear
relationship, we can draw aline of best fit by eye so that
approximately half of the data points are on either side of
the line of best fit.

Example 11
A sports scientist is looking at
data comparing the heights of
athletes and their performance
in the high jump. The following
table and scatterplot represent
the data they have collected. A
line of best fit by eye has been
drawn on the scatterplot.
Choose two appropriate points
that lie on the line of best fit
and determine the equation
for the line.

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GENERAL MATHEMATICS 2017
Making predictions
Interpolation
When we use interpolation, we aremaking a prediction from a line of bestfit that appears within the
parameters ofthe original data set.
If we plot our line of best fit on the scatterplot of the given data, then interpolation will occur between
thefirst and last points of the scatterplot.
Extrapolation
When we use extrapolation, we are making a prediction from a line of best fit that appears outside the
parameters of the original data set.
Reliability of predictions
The more pieces of data there are in a set, the better the line of best fit you will be able to draw. More
data points allow more reliable predictions.
In general, interpolation is a far more reliable method of making predictions than extrapolation.
However, there are other factors that should also be considered. Interpolation closer to the centre of
the data set will be more reliable that interpolation closer to the edge of the data set. Extrapolation
that appears closer to the data set will be much more reliable than extrapolation that appears further
away from the data set.
Worked Example 12
The following data represent the air temperature (C) and depth of snow (cm) at a popular ski resort.
The line of best fit for this data set has been calculated as = -7.2 + 84.
a) Use the line of best fit to estimate the depth of snow if the air temperature is -6.5.




b) Use the line of best fit to estimate the depth of snow if the air temperature is 25.2.




c) Comment on the reliability of your estimations in parts a) and b).

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