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GCSE Mathematics · key term
How much one quantity changes for each unit change in another quantity.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification R14, R15 · Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3
Revise: Gradients as RatesOn a graph representing real quantities, however, the gradient has a practical meaning: it is a rate of change.
The change in the vertical quantity divided by the corresponding change in the horizontal quantity.
Specification A15, R14, R15 · Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3
The change in a quantity per unit change in another quantity, represented graphically by a gradient.
Revise: Gradients and AreasA tangent is a straight line drawn so that its direction matches the curve at the chosen point. Its gradient estimates the instantaneous rate of change at that point. Thus, a tangent to a distance–time curve estimates speed at one instant, while a tangent to a velocity–time curve estimates acceleration at one instant.
A measure of how much the vertical quantity changes for each unit change in the horizontal quantity.
Specification 7.04b · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher), Paper 5 (Higher), Paper 6 (Higher)
A negative gradient describes a decrease. If asked for the rate of decrease, its magnitude may be stated positively, but first show the signed rate of change.
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