Kautsar Cakrawala Margo Luqman Alfarisi Nursabrinah Mutiarasari Zephania Novia M.

Is a delicate combination of algebra and geometery.

In line or curve plotting of a graph, we normally come across the term "Gradient". This is an important parameter that governs the profile of the plotted line or curve.
So, what is this "gradient"? Gradient is defined as the ratio of the change in the vertical unit to the change in the horizontal unit (at a certain point on the curve). From the definition, it implies that the larger the numerical value of the gradient, the steeper is the curve or line plotted.

Y
B
-Y axis represent
vertical line -X axis represent the horizontal line -Line A to B is the gradient, it is a constant line. -The line AB just X touches the curve- it does not cross it. So this gradient is called a tangent.

POSITIVE GRADIENT

NEGATIVE GRADIENT

Positive gradient exhibits vertically upward increment for increase in horizontal direction towards positive "x" value.

Negative gradient shows a downward tendency when moving towards the positive "x" direction. For straight line equation of y = mx + c , "m" represents the gradient. Example 1: y = 3 x + c means a positive gradient with upwardgoing line. Example 2: y = -4 x + c means a negative gradient with downward-going line.

Positive Gradient
Diagram of a Positive Gradient

Negative Gradient
Diagram of a Negative Gradient

However, do note also that for straight line, the gradient is constant as the gradient does not change along the line.

To find the gradient of a curve, you must draw an accurate sketch of the curve. At the point where you need to know the gradient, draw a tangent to the curve. A tangent is a straight line which touches the curve at one point only. You then find the gradient of this tangent.

It is also possible to find the gradient of a curve at a given point - thought the gradient (steepness) will change as you move along the curve, so your answer will only be true for the gradient at the point you use. To find the gradient of a curve, you must draw an accurate sketch of the curve. At the point where you need to know the gradient, draw a tangent to the curve. A tangent is a straight line which touches the curve at one point only. You then find the gradient of this tangent like you did in the section above.

Find the gradient of the curve y = x at the point (3, 9).

Gradient of tangent = (change in y)/(change in x) = (9 - 5)/ (3 - 2.3) = 5.71