Paper 22 Q15(b)IGCSE 0580 May/June 2023

Question

C is the point (5,-1) and D is the point (13, 15). Find the gradient of CD.

This question tests your ability to find the gradient of a straight line between two points using the gradient formula. The gradient tells us how steep a line is and is essential for understanding linear relationships.

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Takeaway

The gradient formula (y₂ - y₁)/(x₂ - x₁) always gives the steepness of the line between any two points.

Common Mistakes

Getting confused with the negative coordinate and writing (15 - 1) instead of (15 - (-1)), which gives 14/8 = 1.75 instead of 2
Mixing up the x and y coordinates when substituting into the formula, such as using (13 - 5)/(15 - (-1)) which gives the reciprocal

Exam Tip

Always write down which point is (x₁, y₁) and which is (x₂, y₂) before substituting to avoid confusion with coordinates.

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