Real-life graphs represent practical situations such as distance-time, conversion graphs and water-filling graphs. You need to read, interpret and sometimes draw these graphs.
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Revising real-life graphs the night before an exam? These are condensed revision notes — the facts, formulas and mistakes examiners actually mark, with no long explanations. Prefer a full walkthrough with step-by-step reasoning instead? Search “Real-life graphs GCSE” on the site for the complete guide.
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Key facts to remember
1On a distance-time graph, the gradient = speed. A flat line means stationary.
2On a speed-time graph, the gradient = acceleration, and the area under the graph = distance.
3Conversion graphs are straight lines through (or near) the origin.
4The y-intercept and gradient of a real-life graph both have practical meanings.
5A steeper gradient means a greater rate of change.
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Worked examples
Example 1
A distance-time graph shows a journey: 0 to 30 min covers 15 km, then stationary for 10 min, then returns 15 km in 20 min. Find the speed for the first section.
Working
Speed = distance ÷ time
Distance = 15 km, Time = 30 min = 0.5 hours
Speed = 15 ÷ 0.5 = 30 km/h
Answer30 km/h
Example 2
A graph converts pounds (£) to euros (€). It passes through (0, 0) and (50, 58). Use it to convert £120 to euros.