Class 2 Engineer

Certificate of Competency

Part A

Mathematics

Unit 3

Graphs
 GRAPHS

3·1 Graphs are usually plotted on a horizontal and a vertical axis these
axes are usually labelled according to the variables to be plotted. The
shape of the graph which is plotted is dependant on the equation
linking the two variables.

Examples

Let us plot the graph of y=x2

x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
Y= x2 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

Y=x2

10
8
6
4
2
0
-4 -3 -2 -1 -2 0 1 2 3 4

-4
-6
-8
-10

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Another example of a graph commonly used in applied heat is the graph of
c
PV n = C or P = n
v

PVn = constant

For general terminology the vertical axis is usually referred to as the y

axis and the horizontal axis is the x axis.

Thus in the second example it could be said that V is plotted on the x

axis and p is plotted on the y axis.

3·2 If we take the equation y = x 2 + 3x + 2 y is termed the dependant

variable and x is the independent variable.

This is done as although both x and y are variables the value of y is

dependant on the value of x, thus as the value of x changes it is
relatively straight forward to find y by use of the equation.

Example

y = x 2 + 3x + 2
If x = 6, then y = 6 2 + 3 × 6 + 2
= 56
If x = 3, y = 32 + 3 × 3 + 2
= 20
If x = −4, y = −4 2 + 3 × −4 + 2
=6

Therefore, for this equation y is dependant on the value of x both x and

y are variables as they can have many values

For an equation such as G = 5 Z2 +3z -8

Z would be the independent variable and G the dependant variable

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 It follows that if x = 3 y 2 − 6 y − 12 then x becomes the dependant
variable and y the independent variable.

3·3 As has been previously stated the vertical axis is termed the y axis and
is normally the axis on which the dependant variable is plotted. The
independent variable is plotted on the horizontal or x axis.

Plot dependant variable

Plot independent variable

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 3.4 Let us take the equation y=x2 and draw the graph values of x
between -3 and 3

x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
Y= x2 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

Y=x2

10
8
6
4
2
0
-4 -3 -2 -1 -2 0 1 2 3 4
-4
-6
-8
-10

We have constructed a graph from seven points another way of

representing these points is as follows.

A (-3,9)
B (-2,4)
C (-1,1)
D (0,0)
E (1,1)
F (2,4)
G (3,9)
The x value is noted followed by the y value. Both of these values give
a co-ordinate on the graph.

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 3·5 When drawing a graph it is important to determine the correct scale for
both x and y axis in order that all the values given and/or calculated
can be plotted on the graph.

By making the scales as large as possible, this makes graph more

accurate and easier to read. Scales should not be made so large that
some information is omitted.

If we were to plot the graph of y=x2 +6x+1 between the values of -3 and
3 first we must determine relevant value of y.

X X2 X2+6x X2+6x+1
-3 9 -9 -8
-2 4 -8 -7
-1 1 -5 -4
0 0 0 1
1 1 7 8
2 4 16 17
3 9 27 28

When drawing a graph it is important to determine the correct scale for

both x and y axis in order that all the values be given and/or calculated
can be plotted on the graph.

A suitable representation of the above values is shown on the next

page in graphic form.

30

25

20

15

10 X2
X2+6x
5
X2+6x+1
0
-4 -2 0 2 4
-5

-10

-15

The scale for the x axis is 1 unit = 2cm

The scale for the y axis is 1 unit = 0·5cm

Therefore it can be seen that to obtain the best graph the same scale
need not necessarily be selected for both axis.

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3·6 We will now look at different forms of graphs. A graph is dependant on
the equation which governs it, we will look at three types of graph:-

(i)

y=x

Take values of x between -3 and +3

X y
-3 -3
-2 -2
-1 -1
0 0
1 1
2 2
3 3

3
2

1
0
-4 -3 -2 -1 -1 0 1 2 3 4

-2
-3

-4

∴ y = x is a straight line graph

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 (ii)
X Y=X2
-3 9
-2 4
-1 1
0 0
1 1
2 4
3 9

y = x2
10

0
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

-2

∴ y = x 2 forms a Parabola

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 (iii)
x y=x3
-3 -27
-2 -8
-1 -1
0 0
1 1
2 8
3 27

y = x3
30

T 20
h
e 10
s
e
0
-4 s -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
h -10
o
w
-20
h
o -30
w

shapes of graph can vary with different equations and there are
many more apart from these.

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3·7 As a linear graph is a straight line it is only necessary to know two sets
of co-ordinates in order to plot the graph.

Example

Draw the linear graph which has co-ordinates (-3,-2) and (2,4)

3·8 Plotting points may be given in two common forms

a) x = 1, y=2
or
b) (1,2)

In (b) the initial value is the x value and the second value the y value

5
4
3
2
1
0
-4 -3 -2 -1 -1 0 1 2 3
-2
-3

3·9 The law of the a straight line or linear graph is

y = ax + b

Where a and b are constant values the value of a is the gradient of the
line and b is the point where the line crosses the y axis.

Example

For the equation y = 3x – 5 plot the graph between x = -3 and x =4

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 x − 3 − 2 −1 0 1 2 3 4
y − 14 − 11 − 8 − 5 − 2 1 4 7
Y

10

0
-4 -2 0 2 4 6
-5

-10

-15

-20

As can be seen from the graph the y axis is crossed at -5 and the
3
gradient is = 3
1

∴ a = 3 and b = −5
Thus y = 3x − 5

From this we can find the law of a straight line by interpreting the graph
that this law gives

Note

A graph of y=a x + b is ALWAYS a straight line

3·10 Let us now investigate the law y = a x2 + b

Example

The following values of R and V are possibly connected by a law

of the type R = a V2 + b. Test if this is so and find the law (i.e. a
and b)

V 12 16 20 22 24 26 30
R 6 ⋅ 44 7 ⋅ 56 9 9 ⋅ 84 10 ⋅ 76 11 ⋅ 76 14

If these values are plotted as given, a curve will result and tells us
nothing except that they are not connected by the linear law y = a x + b
or R = a V+b

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 If however R is plotted against V2 a straight line will result if the
supposition that R = a V+b is correct

V 2 144 256 400 484 576 676 900

R 6 ⋅ 44 7 ⋅ 56 9 9 ⋅ 84 10 ⋅ 76 11 ⋅ 76 14

This will give a graph as shown.

16
14
12
10
8 R
R

6
4
2
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000
V2

The straight line obtained shows that R = a V2 + b

We can thus determine a nd b using simultaneous equations

11 ⋅ 76 = a × 676 + b - - - - - (1)
7 ⋅ 56 = a × 256 + b - - - - - -(2)

Subtract (2) from (1)

4 ⋅ 2 = 420 a
4⋅2
∴a = = 0 ⋅ 01
420

Substitute in (1)
11 ⋅ 76 = 0 ⋅ 01 × 676 + b
b = 11 ⋅ 76 − (0 ⋅ 01 × 676)
=5
∴ R = 0 ⋅ 01 V 2 + 5

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 3·11 Solving graphically PVn = a constant (a) where n is unknown.

It is first necessary to rewrite this law in a different manner i.e.

P = a constant (a) x V-n or P = a V-n

V 15 18 20 22 24 25 27
P 354 279 ⋅ 5 215 ⋅16 192 ⋅1 182 ⋅ 2 164 ⋅ 9

If the law suggested is of the type suggested a curve should be

obtained.

To obtain a straight line in the given type of equation take logs of

both sides.

Ln P = Ln a + (− n )Ln V
Ln P = − n Ln V + Ln a

By comparison with the linear law y = ax + b we find the two

variables Ln P and Ln V are connected in the same way as y
and x

Ln P = Ln V x (a constant n) + (a constant Ln a)

∴ If Ln P is plotted against Ln V a straight line should be

obtained if the suggested law holds good.

Ln V 2 ⋅ 7 2 ⋅ 89 2 ⋅ 99 3 ⋅ 09 3 ⋅ 17 3 ⋅ 22
Ln P 5 ⋅ 87 5 ⋅ 63 5 ⋅ 49 5 ⋅ 37 5 ⋅ 26 5 ⋅ 2

12
10
8
6
4
Y=2x+3
2
Y=3x+2
0
-4 -2 -2 0 2 4
-4
-6
-8

The graph is a straight line

∴ Ln P = −n Ln V + Ln a

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 Constants –n and a are again found by simultaneous equations
5 ⋅ 87 = −n × 2 ⋅ 7 + Ln a (1)
5 ⋅ 37 = −n × 3 ⋅ 09 + Ln a (2)

Subtract (2) from (1)

0 ⋅ 5 = 0 ⋅ 39n
0⋅5
∴ =
0 ⋅ 39
= 1⋅ 28

Substitute in (1)

5 ⋅ 87 = −1⋅ 28 × 2 ⋅ 7 + Ln a
Ln a = 9 ⋅ 326
∴ a = 11226
∴ P = 11226 ×V −1⋅28

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 3·12 If we have two simultaneous equations e.g. y = 2x + 3 and y = -
3x + 2 and we wish to find a solution for these graphs i.e. where
the values are equal. This can be done by plotting both graphs
on the same axis. The point at which the lines cross is the
solution required.

X -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
Y=2x+3 -3 -1 +1 +3 5 7 9
Y=-3x+2 11 8 5 2 -1 -4 -7

12
10
8
6
4
Series2
2
Series3
0
-2 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

-4
-6
-8

Therefore at the point (-0·2, 2·6) both equations have the same
value.

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 3·13 The solution off a quadratic equation is given by the point where
the graph of the quadratic equation crosses the x axis i.e. where
y=0
We shall now plot the graph of y = 3x2 + 7x -6 and find its
solution.

X -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
Y 14 0 -8 -10 -6 3 13

y = 3x2 + 7x - 6
20

15

10

0
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

-5

-10

-15

Therefore the solution of the graph is at the points (-3,0) and

(0·667,0)

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 3·14 If we have simultaneous quadratic equations again we can find
the solutions where the lines of the graph cross over.

Let us find the solutions for the equations y=3x2+7x-6 and –

x2+x+2

X -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
Y=3x2+7x-6 14 0 -8 -10 -6 4 20
Y=-x2+x+2 -18 -10 -4 0 2 2 0 -4

y = 3x2 + 7x -6
y = -X2 + X +2
25
2
Y=3X +7X-6
20

15

10

0
(0.8, 2.1)
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
-5
(-2.35, -6.2) Y=-X2+X+2
-10

-15

-20

Therefore the graphs have solutions at the points (-2·35,-6·2)

and (0·8,2·1)

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 3·15 It is possible to solve equations by graphical addition for
example when equations are linear then as there are only two
unknowns there fore we need only two equations with the same
variables to find a solution. The only time this does not apply is
when the lines are parallel i.e. the gradients are equal an
example of this is:-

2x+6=y
2x+12=y

Both lines have the same gradient but cross the y axis at
different points and are therefore parallel

We will now solve graphically for the equations

3x-4y=2 and 2x+3y=7

These can be re written as

3 1 2 7
y= x − and y = − x +
4 2 3 3

3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
-0.5 0 1 2 3 4 5

1 here for the solution of these two graphs is x=2 and y=1

Therefore the solution of these two graphs is x=2 and Y=1

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 This can be bourne out by use of simultaneous equations
3 1
y= x− (1)
4 2
2 7
y =− x+ (2)
3 3
(1) − (2) = 0 = 17 x − 17
12 6
17 17 12 ×17
x= ∴x = =2
12 6 16 ×17
3 1
By substution in (1) y = × 2 −
4 2
4
= =1
4

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S.A.Q 1 From the values given draw the graph and
complete the table. y and x are connected by the law
y=ax+b

Also determine the values of a and b

X -1 0 1·4 3 5 7
y 0 12 32

2 The following table gives related values of x and y.

Determine whether these values are connected by an
equation of the form y=ax2+b where a and b are constant
and if so find the values of a and b

X 4 5 6 7 8 9
y 14·3 18 22·5 28 34·5 41·5

3 The values of T and θ in the table below are thought to be

connected by a law of the form T=еbθ where a and b are
constants and е = 2·7183. Show by drawing a graph that
T and θ are connected by a law of this form and use your
graph to find the values of a and b.

θ 1 2 3 4 5
T 165 272 448 739 1220

4 Plot the curve of the equation y=7·2x-1·5x2 from x=0 to

x=4. Find the maximum value of 7·2x-1·5x2 and give the
corresponding value of x.

5 Draw graph of y=1·7x1·6 from x=0 to x=4 and hence solve

the equation 1·7x1·6=8·8

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 S.A.Q Solutions Note. As solutions are graphical there are slight
variations from calculated solutions

40
30
20
10
0
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 -10 0 2 4 6 8

-20
-30
-40
-50

x − 1 0 0 ⋅ 6 1⋅ 4 3 5 7
y − 8 − 3 0 4 12 22 32
a = 5 b = −3
∴ y = 5x − 3

x 4 5 6 7 8 9
x 216 25 36 49 64 81
y 14 ⋅ 3 18 22 ⋅ 5 28 34 ⋅ 5 41 ⋅ 5

50
40
30
Y
20
10
0
0 20 40 60 80 100

As graph is a straight line

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 ∴ y = ax 2 + b
a = 0 ⋅ 425 b = 7 ⋅ 5
∴ y = ⋅425x 2 + 7 ⋅ 5

3
T = a ebθ
∴ ℓnT = bθ ℓne + ℓna ℓne = 1
∴ ℓnT = bθ + ℓna
this is a form of y = mx + c

T 165 272 448 739 1220

ℓT 5 ⋅1 5 ⋅ 6 6 ⋅1 6 ⋅ 6 7 ⋅10
θ 1 2 3 4 5

7.2
7
6.8
6.6
6.4
6.2
6
5.8
5.6
5.4
5.2
5
4.8
4.6

0 2 4 6

∴ ℓnT = bθ + ℓna as graph is a straight line

ℓna = 4 ⋅ 6 ∴ a = 100
b = 0⋅5
∴T = 100 × e 0⋅5θ

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 4

Y=1x-1·5x2

x 01 2 3 4
7 x 0 7 14 21 28
1 ⋅ 5 x 2 0 1 ⋅ 5 6 13 ⋅ 5 24
y = 7 x − 1⋅ 5 x 2 0 5 ⋅ 5 8 7 ⋅ 5 4

Max value of Y=8·2 corresponding x value = 2·4

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 5

Y=1·7x1·6

x 0 1 2 3 4
1⋅6
Ln P 1 ⋅ 7 x 0 1 ⋅ 7 5 ⋅15 9 ⋅ 86 15 ⋅ 62

y = 1.7x1.6

17.00

16.00

15.00

14.00

13.00

12.00

11.00

10.00

9.00

8.00

7.00

6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0.00
0 1 2 3 4 5

To solve 1·7x1·6 = 8·8 i.e. value of x when y=8·8

X=2·79

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 Tutor Marked Assignment
To be returned to the College when completed

1 H and V are connected by a law of the form H=aVn find this law
if corresponding values of H and V are as follows

V 8·04 11·67 14·43 17·41 19·9

H 3·03 6·11 9·07 12·21 15·62

2 In an experiment to find the luminosity I of a lamp for varying

voltage V, the following measurements were made.

V 60 80 100 120 140 160

I 10 31·6 88 184 322 580

Show that the law is of the type I=aVn where a and n are
constants and find the values of a and n

3 If the cost of a voyage £C per hour is given

V3
C = 16 +
1000

Where V is the speed of the ship in knots, find the cost of a

voyage L nautical miles long. Use a graphical method to find the
most economical speed for this journey. (consider speeds
between 10 and 30 knots at intervals of 2 knots)

4 A gas engine test gave the following relationship between I

(Indicated power) and S (shaft power)

S kw 18 39 57 100 141
I kw 45 67 90 135 180

By plotting the values, find a law of the form S=mI+b connecting

them

8
5 Draw a graph of y = 4 − x 2 + from x = −4 to x = +4 use the
x+5
8
graph to solve the equation 4 − x 2 + =0
x+5

Copyright: CoGC 25