Gradients and areas under graphs worksheet — GCSE Higher

1.A distance-time graph is a straight line from (0, 0) to (4, 100), where time is in hours and distance is in kilometres. Work out the gradient of the line.

2.A speed-time graph shows a constant speed of 15 m/s for 20 seconds. Work out the distance travelled, using the area under the graph.

3.The tangent to a curve at the point (5, 2) is the line y = mx + c. This tangent crosses the y-axis at (0, −8). Work out the gradient, m, of the tangent.

4.A cyclist's speed rises from rest to a maximum — quickly at first, then more and more slowly — so her speed-time graph is a curve that is concave down (its gradient decreases as time goes on). A trapezium estimate is made for the distance travelled during this phase, using two points on the curve. Is the trapezium estimate an overestimate or an underestimate of the true distance, and why?

5.A car's journey is represented by a velocity-time graph. The total distance travelled, found from the area under the graph, is 350 metres, and the total time for the journey is 25 seconds. Work out the car's average speed for the whole journey, in m/s.

6.A car's velocity–time graph is a straight line from (0 s, 4 m/s) rising to (6 s, V m/s), followed by a straight line falling from (6 s, V m/s) to (9 s, 0 m/s). The gradient of the second line is −8 m/s². Work out the total distance travelled between t = 0 and t = 9 seconds.

7.A car's speed, in m/s, during a journey is: 0 at t = 0 s, 8 at t = 4 s, and 8 (constant) from t = 4 s to t = 10 s, increasing at a constant rate between t = 0 and t = 4. Estimate the total distance the car travels, using the areas of a triangle and a rectangle.

8.A tap's flow rate, in litres per minute, is plotted against time, in minutes, on a graph. What are the units of the area under this graph?

9.The table shows the height, in metres, of a firework rocket at various times, in seconds, during its flight: 40 at t = 2, 54 at t = 3, and 60 at t = 4. Use the chord between t = 2 and t = 4 to estimate the gradient of the height-time graph at t = 3, stating the correct units.

10.The trapezium rule is used to estimate the area under a curve between x = 2 and x = 6. The curve is concave up (it curves upwards, like the inside of a bowl) throughout this interval. Which statement about the estimate is correct?

11.The tangent to a curve at the point (6, 1) has gradient −3. Work out the y-coordinate of the point where this tangent crosses the y-axis.

12.The table shows the velocity, in m/s, of a train at various times, in seconds: 0 at t = 0, 20 at t = 4, 35 at t = 10, 27 at t = 14. Assuming the velocity changes at a constant rate between each pair of readings, estimate the distance the train travels between t = 0 and t = 12, using the trapezium rule.

13.A car is decelerating. The tangent to its velocity-time graph at t = 12 seconds passes through the points (8, 22) and (16, 6), where velocity is in m/s and time is in seconds. Work out the gradient of this tangent, in m/s².

14.The curve y = x² − 3x. Use the chord between x = 1 and x = 4 to estimate the gradient of the curve at x = 2.5.

15.A cup of tea cools after being made. Its temperature-time graph is a curve. Three tangents are drawn on the graph: at t = 2 minutes the tangent has gradient −8; at t = 10 minutes the tangent has gradient −3; at t = 20 minutes the tangent has gradient −0.5. Which of these statements about the tea's cooling is correct?