Positive rate of change from a graph

I can calculate the positive rate of change (gradient) from a graph.

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Year 8

Positive rate of change from a graph

I can calculate the positive rate of change (gradient) from a graph.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

Graphs can be described by looking at how quickly they rise.
The amount y changes when x increases by one is the rate of change and is called the gradient.
The gradient will be positive if y increases as the graph moves to the right.
The gradient can be found from any linear graph.
The gradient tells you important information about the relationship.

Keywords

Gradient - The gradient is a measure of how steep a line is.

Common misconception

Pupils count squares to calculate gradient instead of looking at scales.

Encourage pupils to pick points on the graph to use to find the gradient and write down the coordinates rather than count squares.

To help you plan your year 8 maths lesson on: Positive rate of change from a graph, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Challenge pupils to draw their own lines with different gradients, mini whiteboards with squares or printed axis in plastic wallets can be helpful for this. Make it clear that the axis have a step of 1 for this.

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).