Below is an interactive applet that allows you to investigate gradients of straight lines. By moving the points around, we can witness how the gradient changes. [i]m[/i] stands for gradient.

Complete the following questions in your books by dragging point B around. [br]1. Create a line with a gradient of [math]1[/math].[br] (a) Sketch the graph, including the 'triangle'.[br] (b) What is the rise?[br] (c) What is the run?[br] (d) How is the gradient calculated?[br]2. Repeat Q1 for gradients of [math]2[/math], [math]\frac{1}{2}[/math]. [br]3. Drag B over to quadrant 2 and create a line with a gradient of [math]-1[/math]. [br] (a) Sketch the graph, including the 'triangle'.[br] (b) What is the rise?[br] (c) What is the run?[br]4. Describe the difference between a positive and negative gradient.[br]5. What happens to the gradient when you make a horizontal line?[br]6. What happens to the gradient when you make a vertical line?[br]