The document discusses linear laws and how to modify nonlinear relationships between two variables into a linear form. It provides examples of nonlinear relationships and shows how to determine the gradient and y-intercept when plotting the variables to obtain a linear graph. It also includes sample exam questions and solutions demonstrating how to find constants and coefficients when given points on a linear graph.
The document discusses linear laws and how to modify nonlinear relationships between two variables into a linear form. It provides examples of nonlinear relationships and shows how to determine the gradient and y-intercept when plotting the variables to obtain a linear graph. It also includes sample exam questions and solutions demonstrating how to find constants and coefficients when given points on a linear graph.
The document discusses linear laws and how to modify nonlinear relationships between two variables into a linear form. It provides examples of nonlinear relationships and shows how to determine the gradient and y-intercept when plotting the variables to obtain a linear graph. It also includes sample exam questions and solutions demonstrating how to find constants and coefficients when given points on a linear graph.
The document discusses linear laws and how to modify nonlinear relationships between two variables into a linear form. It provides examples of nonlinear relationships and shows how to determine the gradient and y-intercept when plotting the variables to obtain a linear graph. It also includes sample exam questions and solutions demonstrating how to find constants and coefficients when given points on a linear graph.
reduce an equation to appropriate linear form in solving
problems (such as when y is plotted against )
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Page 2 LINEAR LAW
Definition: It is a process of converting a set of two variables which are related nonlinearly to a linear equation of the form .
Modification/Transformation of Laws
All the non-linear form laws with variables and must be changed, transformed or modified to a linear form where:
o is the gradient and
o is the vertical/ -axis intercept (where the graph cuts or crosses the - axis).
Illustration If it is necessary to plot graphs of the given laws in a modified form in order to verify them, state (i) what should be plotted on the vertical axis, (ii) what should be plotted on the horizontal axis, (iii)the gradient and (iv) the vertical axis intercept.
(a) in comparison to yields the following results: (i) Vertical axis label: (ii) Horizontal axis label: (iii)Gradient: (iv) Vertical axis intercept:
(b)
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Page 3 (i) Vertical axis label:
(ii) Horizontal axis label:
(iii)Gradient: (iv) Vertical axis intercept:
(c) in comparison to yields the following results: (i) Vertical axis label: (ii) Horizontal axis label: (iii)Gradient: (iv) Vertical axis intercept:
After transforming the given law, at times it is necessary to draw the straight line graph in order to verify the linear relationship.
Steps to draw a straight line
o Use a graph paper
o Construct a table of values (using the new law) o Choose a suitable scale, unless it is already specified. Label both axes o Choose the suitable line of best fit o Determine the gradient – and -intercept .
The concept of line of best fit
Straight line must pass through many points where possible. If points are plotted and they do not lie on the straight line, the line should be drawn is such a way that points are more or less the same on both sides.
Illustration
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Page 7 Worked Examples
Question 1
ZIMSEC JUNE 2000 PAPER
Two variable quantities and are related by the equation where and are constants. When a graph is plotted showing values of on the vertical axis and values of on the horizontal axis, the points lie on a straight line having gradient and crossing the vertical axis at the point . Find the values of and . [5]
Suggested Solution
Now:
Also:
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Page 8 Question 2
ZIMSEC NOVEMBER 1996 PAPER 1
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ + +
Values of the related variables and were measured in an experiment, and the results were plotted on a graph of against . The points were found to lie approximately on a straight line crossing the axes at and , as shown in the diagram. Show that this linear model implies a relation of the form , and find the values of and .
Page 16 When a graph is plotted values of on the vertical axis and values of on the horizontal axis, the points lie on a straight line. This line crosses the vertical axis at the point and also passes through the point as shown in the diagram. Find the values of and . [5]
Suggested Solution
Now:
Also:
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Page 17 Question 6
CAMBRIDGE JUNE 2015 PAPER 2
The variables and satisfy the equation
where and are constants. The graph of against is a straight line passing through the points and , as shown in the diagram. Find the values of and correct to significant figures. [5]
Suggested Solution
Now:
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Page 18 Finding the vertical intercept using and :
The relation between the variable quantities and is
where a and b are constants. Four pairs of corresponding values for and , measured experimentally are shown in the following table
By plotting a graph of against , determine values for and . [5]
Answer: and
ZIMSEC JUNE 2004 PAPER 1
The variables and are believed to satisfy a relationship of the form , where and are constants. The values obtained in an experiment are shown in the table below
By plotting a suitable graph, verify the relationship. Use your graph to calculate approximate values of and . [7]
Answer: and
ZIMSEC NOVEMBER 2004 PAPER 1
The table below shows values of two quantities and connected by the equation
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Page 21 By means of a suitable graph, find the values of and . [5]
Answer: and
ZIMSEC JUNE 2005 PAPER 1
The variable and are known to be connected by the formula , where and are constants. In an experiment, the following values of p and q were obtained:
(i) Construct a table of values of and , giving the values to decimal places. [2] (ii) Plot the values of against the values of using a scale of to represent units on each axis. [2] (iii)Hence (a) show that the given values are in agreement with the formula [2] (b) determine the the values of and . [4]
ZIMSEC JUNE 2010 PAPER 1
A mathematician working with an exponential relation reduced it to linear form and
came out with the graph shown in the diagram below
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Page 22 (i) State the label on each of the axes [2] (ii) Calculate the value of and the value of . [3]
Answer: In ( axis); ( axis): and
ZIMSEC JUNE 2013 PAPER 1
The variable quantities and are related by the equation where and are constants. When the graph is plotted showing values of on the vertical axis and values of on the horizontal axis, the points lie on a straight line having gradient and intercept at .
Find the values of and the correct to one decimal place. [4]
Answer: and
ZIMSEC NOVEMBER 2016 PAPER 1
The variable quantities and are related by the rule , where is a constant. Five pairs of values and measured experimentally are shown in the table.
(i) Plot the graph of y against . [3]
(ii) Use the graph to find the value of . [2]
Answer:
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Page 23 CAMBRIDGE QUESTIONS
CAMBRIDGE JUNE 2007 PAPER 2
The variables and satisfy the relation
(i) By taking logarithms, show that the graph of against . Find the exact value of the gradient of this line. [3] (ii) Calculate the -coordinate of the point of intersection of this line with the line , giving your answer correct to decimal places. [3]
Answer: (i) (ii)
CAMBRIDGE JUNE 2011 PAPER 2
The variables and satisfy the equation where and are constants. The graph of against is a straight line passing through the points and as shown in the diagram. Find the values of and correct to decimal places. [5]
Answer: and
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Page 24 CAMBRIDGE JUNE 2012 PAPER 2
The variables and satisfy the equation where and are constants. The graph of against is a straight line passing through the points and as shown in the diagram. Find the values of and correct to decimal place. [5]
Answer: and
CAMBRIDGE NOVEMBER 2012 PAPER 2
The variables and satisfy the equation where axd are constants. The graph of against is a straight line passing through the points and as shown in the diagram. Find the values of and correct to decimal places. [6]
Answer: and
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Page 25 CAMBRIDGE NOVEMBER 2014 PAPER 2
The variables and satisfy the equation where and are constants. The graph of against is a straight line passing through the points and as shown in the diagram. Find the values of and correct to decimal places. [5]
Answer: and
CAMBRIDGE NOVEMBER 2015 PAPER 2
The variables and satisfy the equation where axd are constants. The graph of against is a straight line passing through the points and as shown in the diagram. Find the values of and correct to significant figures. [5]
Answer: and
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Page 26 CAMBRIDGE NOVEMBER 2016 PAPER 21
The variables and satisfy the equation where and are constants. The graph of against is a straight line passing through the points and as shown in the diagram. Find the values of and correct to decimal places. [5]
Answer: and
CAMBRIDGE NOVEMBER 2016 PAPER 23
The variables and satisfy the equation where and are constants. The graph of against is a straight line passing through the points and as shown in the diagram. Find the values of and correct to decimal places. [5]
Answer: and
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Page 27 CAMBRIDGE JUNE 2018 PAPER 2
The variables and satisfy the equation where and are constants. The graph of against is a straight line passing through the points and as shown in the diagram. Find the values of and correct to significant figures. [5]
Answer: and
CAMBRIDGE NOVEMBER 2019 PAPER 2
The variables and satisfy the equation where and are constants. The graph of against is a straight line passing through the points and as shown in the diagram. Find the values of and correct to significant figures. [5]
Answer: and
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Page 28 ASANTE SANA
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Page 29 *******THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF EVERY TUNNEL *******
CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS ON THE FORM
OF THE PRESENTATION, INCLUDING ANY OMISSIONS OR ERRORS, ARE WELCOME.
