ey Lipiszie Lewy In science, we often study how two variables x and y are related. If the variables are related by an equation of the form y = mx +c, then the graph of y against xis a straight line whose gradient is m and y-intercept is c. The equation y = mx + c is known as the linear law relating the variables x and y. The variables x and y are said to be linearly related. For example, the water consumption per capita in Singapore over ten years is shown in the following table. (ear) | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 yam) 17 | 19 i | ns yg | 3s [ass | 138) 142 | tna (Source: Public Uiliies Board Annual Report 1998) By plotting y against r with the data, we obtain a straight line graph as shown, This suggests a trend in water consumption with y being linearly related to r. em) ee tt pp pe riya 1989 1990 191 19921993 194 1995 1996 1997 1998 ‘The abnormal data in 1998 is explained as follows: 1998 consumption per capita is ‘based on total population of Singapore as at 30.6.1998 of 3 865 600. Consumption per ‘capita prior to 1998 was based on resident population of Singapore. 176 Linear Law‘Suppose two variables x and y are related by the equation y = 2x” + 3. The table below shows some values of x and the corresponding values of x? and y, 1, | 150°} 2 [paso] 3p a), 350 He | 225 fe 4 forges: |oot| Tas s | 750] m1 | 155 | 2 | 2750 By plotting y against x, we have a curve as shown below. The curve is nota straight line and the variables x and y are not Finearly related. 3 20 0 10 ee A . The diagram shows the araph of 1 again x. Calculate the valves of ‘hand k. The point P lies on the line. Find the value of A. Vibes rand y ae relate by the equation + 2 = 2, whore a and ae constants. When he griph of! agsnst is drawn, a tight lin is obsined. Given that the intercept on the 4-axis is ~0.5 and thatthe graent of the line is 0.75, calculate the value of a and of b. 4, tis expected that the variables x and y are related by the equation y = fax +b where a and b are unknown constants. Given sets of experimental values of x and y, determine the variables whose values should be plotted in order to obtain a Straight line graph, and explain how the graph may be used to determine the values of a and b. 8. The graph of *) against x isa straight line passing through (-2, 1) and (2,7) Find 0 (a) the value of x when y (b)__y in terms of x. 192 Linear Lae9% 10. Variables x and y are related by an equation of the form px’ + gy = 2, where p and 4 are constants, Observed valles ofthe two variables are shown below. Tia] 20 see] es iss | 306 | 440 | 527 | 716 By plotting y* against x, draw a straight line graph and use it to estimate (a) the value of p and of 4, (b) the positive value of x when y = 5, ‘The table shows experimental values of two variables x and y. Os 10 15 2.0 14.6 68 4.0 24 ecole fe eed Oy ern lll = 282 ae ae cee Seas al fi ‘ua Trane te trang straight line graph. ‘Draw this graph for the given data and use it to estimate (a) the value of a and of b, (b) the value of y when x= 1.7. ‘The variables x and y are known to be connected by the equation y = Ca‘. An experiment gave pairs of values of x and y as shown in the table. One of the values of y is subject to an abnormally large error. 1 2 3] 4 5 6 a 6.20 | 2990 | 2510, 891 | 631 | 335 | 178 Plot Ig y against x and use the graph to (a) identify the abnormal reading and estimate its correct value, (b) estimate the value of C and of a, (©) estimate the value of x when y Pairs of numerical values (ry) ate collected from an experiment and itis possible that either of the two following equations may be applicable to these data: (a) ax’ + by’ = 1, where a and b are constants, (b)_ y= cx’, where ¢ and d are constants. In each case explain how you would use a graph to examine the validity of the equation, Explain how you would estimate the values of the constants if you found the equation to be approximately valid from your graph. The table shows experimental values of two variables # and y. 1 2 3 4 . 22 | 70 | 40 | 23 | 13 Itis known that s and y are related by an equation of the form y= Ae“. By plotting In y against f, draw a straight line graph for the given data and use it to evaluate A and b. oO near Lane 1932 1B 4. It is assumed that x and y obey a law of the form y = In (ax’ + 6). Pairs of values of x and y are recorded in an experiment and tabulated as follows: 06 | 08 | 10 0.703 | 0988 | 1194 By meany of a straight line graph, verify that the law is valid. Use your graph to estimate (a) the values of a and b, (b) the possible values of x if (©) the value of y if x = 0.1 ‘The variables x and y are connected by the relation, constants. The graph of In y against x is given. Fit values of & and p. in 3, ep)’, where k and p are |, to 3 significant figures, the ny C&O 0 ‘The period 7 of oscillation of a pendulum and its length fare related by a law of the form T= af Using the following experimental data, estimate (a) aand b, (b) the period of oscillation of a pendulum of length 0.9 m, (©) the length of a pendulum whose period is 1 second. 06 | ox | to | 12 155 | 1.76 | 201 | 219 Its believed that variables x and y follow a law of the form x + py experiment, values of y are found for certain values of x. These values are shown in the following table, 1 2 3 4 5 Ly | 067 | os: | 120 | 133 | 143 It is suspected that an unusually large error occurs in one of the values of y. By ploting the graph of ~ against x, (a) identify the incorrect value of y and estimate its correct value, (b) estimate the value of x when Sy (©) estimate the valves of p and g. 194 Linear Law15, Variables x and y are known to be related by an equation of the form axy ~ 6 = a(x’ + bx), where a and b are constants. Observed values of the two variables are shown in the following table: IL 2 3 4 4 | 250 | 267 | 3.25 Plot xy ~ x7 against x and use the graph to estimate (a). the value of y when x = 1.5, (b) the values of a and b. 16, The following values of x and y are believed to obey a law of the form x"y" = 200, where m and n are constants. 2.72 | 126 | 0.76 Rewrite the given law in a form suitable for drawing a straight line graph, Draw the graph and hence estimate (a) the value of m and of n, (b) the value of x when y= 10. Linear Law 195