Linear Graph Analysis: Determining Uniform vs Non-uniform Rate of Change

Rate of Change with Linear Graph Analysis

Given the following graph, determine whether the rate of change is uniform or not

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:06 First, we ask, is the rate of change uniform?
00:11 Let's pick some points on the graph and have a look.
00:18 Notice how the change between each pair of points stays the same.
00:46 That means the graph shows a uniform rate of change.
00:49 And there you go, that's the solution to our question!

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Given the following graph, determine whether the rate of change is uniform or not

111222333444555666111222333000

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, let's analyze the graph of the line:

  • Step 1: Identify two points on the line. For simplicity, let's choose the intercept at x=1 x = 1 and y=3 y = 3 , and another at x=6 x = 6 and y=0 y = 0 (assuming these are easily readable points).
  • Step 2: Calculate the slope using the formula y2y1x2x1\frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}.
  • Step 3: Substituting in our chosen points, the slope is 0361=35\frac{0 - 3}{6 - 1} = \frac{-3}{5}.
  • Step 4: Since the graph is a straight line and the slope is constant, the rate of change is uniform.

Therefore, the graph shows a constant or uniform rate of change.

The solution to the problem is thus Uniform.

Since the correct answer is shown in the multiple-choice option "Uniform", we conclude it matches the analysis result.

3

Final Answer

Uniform

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Linear Graph Rule: Straight lines have constant rate of change
  • Slope Calculation: Use y2y1x2x1 \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} between any two points
  • Verification: Calculate slope between different point pairs: should be identical ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Assuming all graphs have uniform rates
    Don't automatically assume uniform rate without checking the graph shape! Curved lines have non-uniform rates even if they look smooth. Always confirm the graph is a straight line before concluding uniform rate of change.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Given the following graph, determine whether function is constant

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FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How can I tell if a rate of change is uniform just by looking?

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Look for a straight line! If the graph forms a perfect straight line, the rate of change is uniform. If it's curved, bent, or has different slopes in different sections, it's non-uniform.

What if the line goes down instead of up?

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The direction doesn't matter for uniformity! A decreasing straight line still has uniform rate of change - it's just negative. The key is that it's straight.

Do I need to calculate the exact slope value?

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Not necessarily for determining uniformity! You just need to confirm it's a straight line. However, calculating slope helps verify your visual assessment.

What does 'rate of change' actually mean?

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Rate of change shows how much y changes for each unit of x. Think of it like speed: uniform rate means constant speed, while non-uniform means changing speed.

Can I use any two points on the line?

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Yes! For a straight line, the slope between any two points will be identical. This is what makes the rate of change uniform.

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