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1b 2009 Straight Line Graph

The document discusses transforming non-linear relationships between variables x and y into linear form by taking logarithms. This allows unknown constants to be determined from the gradient and intercept of straight line graphs of log(y) against log(x). Several examples are given of determining unknown constants p, q, A, n, a, b from information provided about gradients and intercepts of logarithmic graphs.

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524 views3 pages

1b 2009 Straight Line Graph

The document discusses transforming non-linear relationships between variables x and y into linear form by taking logarithms. This allows unknown constants to be determined from the gradient and intercept of straight line graphs of log(y) against log(x). Several examples are given of determining unknown constants p, q, A, n, a, b from information provided about gradients and intercepts of logarithmic graphs.

Uploaded by

fabremil7472
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Linear Law

In this chapter you must be able to use logarithms to transform a given


relationship to linear form, and hence determine unknown constants by
considering the gradient and/or intercept.

Reduction of laws to straight line (linear) form

Non-linear functions in variables x and y can be reduced to linear


functions in the form of Y = mX + c, where m is the gradient, c is the Y-
intercept and X and Y are expressions in x and/or y. The table below
shows how the logarithmic functions can be reduced to the linear form:

functions Y X m c
y = ab x
lg y x lg b lg a
lg y = lg a + x lg b
lg y = x lg b + lg a
y = ax b
lg y = lg a + b lg x lg y lg x b lg a
lg y = b (lg x) + lg a

Questions

1. Variables x and y are related by the equation y 2 = px q. When the


graph of lg y against lg x is drawn, the resulting straight line has a
gradient of - 2 and an intercept of 0.5 on the axis of lg y. Calculate
the values of p and q. p = 10, q = - 4

2. The variables x and y are related by the equation y = Ax n . A straight


line of the graph of lg y against lg x passes through the points (1, 3)
and (2, 1). Find the values of A and n. A = 105 , n = - 2

3. The variables x and y are connected by the equation y = ax b where a


and b are constants. A straight line of lg y against lg x is drawn. The
line passes through the points (2, 0) and (0, -1). Calculate the values
of a and b and hence find the value of y when x = 5.
a = 0.1, b = 0.5, 0.2236

4. A straight line graph which passes through the points (1, 2) and (2, 5)
is obtained by plotting lg y against lg (x + 1). Find
(i) y in terms of x
( x + 1)3
y=
10
(ii) the value of y when x = 3.
6.4

1
5. The variables x and y are related in such a way that when lg y is
plotted against lg x, a straight line is obtained. Given that this line
passes through (0, 1) and (6, 4), find
(i) the value of x when lg y = 3.
10,000
(ii) The value of a and n when the relationship between x and y is
expressed in the form y = axn. a = 100, b
= √10
6. A straight line of the graph of lg y against x is drawn and passes
through the points (4, 5) and (2, 2). Find the values of the constants
A and b for which the straight line represent the equation y = Abx.
A = 0.1, b =
31.6

7. The table shows experimental values of two quantities x and y which


are known to be connected by a law of the form y = kbx.

x 1 2 3 4
y 30 75 190 470

Plot lg y against x and use your graph to estimate the values of k and
b. b = 2.45, k =
11.9

8. The following values of x and y are believed to obey a law of the form y
= abx, where a and b are constants.

x 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00


y 3.80 9.20 22.1 53.1 127.4

Show graphically that this is so and estimate the values of a and b,


correct to 1 decimal place. y = 1.6
(2.4)x

9. The following readings were obtained in an experiment.

x 20 40 60 80 100
y 55 150 280 430 600

Show graphically that, allowing for small errors of observation, there


is a relation between y and x of the form y = ax k. Find the

2
approximate values for a and k. y = 0.60 x
1.5

10. The table below shows experimental values of two variables, x and y.

x 5 10 15 20 25
y 57.7 37.0 23.7 15.2 9.7

It is known that x and y are related by the equation y = Ae- k x,


where A and k are constants. Using graph paper, plot ln y against
x for the above data and use your graph to estimate the value of A
and of k.

(J96/4)

11. The table below shows experimental values of two variables, x and y.

x 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0


y 6.2 4.7 3.7 2.9 2.2 1.7

It is known that x and y are related by the equation y = Ab x, where A


and k are constants.
(i) Express the equation in a form suitable for drawing a straight
line graph
(ii) Draw the graph and use it to estimate the value of A and of b.
(iii) Find the values of y when x = 0.8.
(A.M
J97/4)

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