GCSE · Graphs of functions

Real-life graphs (conversion, cost and travel graphs)Exam-style questions

Read real-life graphs both ways: change units with a conversion graph (and scale a reading beyond its edge only when the line starts at zero), read a fixed charge and a cost per hour off a cost graph, compare two tariffs where their lines cross, and turn a travel graph into a story: stops, speeds in km/h, the journey home, drawing the next part, and two journeys on one graph.

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12 questions · GCSE (Higher) level · mark scheme and worked solution on each · no sign-up to try

DifficultyAll Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

1
A coach is travelling along a motorway at a constant speed.

The graph shows the distance it travels in the first part of its journey.Find the speed of the coach in miles per hour.

(2 marks)
Level 2 · 2 marksTry it
2
You can use this graph to change between temperatures in degrees Celsius (°C) and degrees Fahrenheit (°F).(a) Change $50$ °F into °C.

(1 mark)

Eli says,

" $10$ °C is $50$ °F, so $40$ °C must be $4 \times 50 = 200$ °F."
(b) Explain why Eli's method is wrong.

(1 mark)
(c) Work out $40$ °C in °F.

(2 marks)
Level 3 · 4 marksTry it
3
Two shops, City Scoot and Zip Rides, hire out electric scooters.

The graph shows the cost of hiring a scooter from each shop.(a) For how many hours do the two shops charge the same amount?

(1 mark)

Ravi wants to hire a scooter for $5$ hours.
(b) Which shop is cheaper for Ravi?

Show how you decide.

(3 marks)
Level 3 · 4 marksTry it
4
Noah leaves home at 3.40 pm and runs to a park.

The graph shows his run.(a) How far is the park from Noah's home?

(1 mark)
(b) Work out Noah's running speed.

Give your answer in km/h.

(2 marks)

Noah stays at the park for $15$ minutes.

He then walks home along the same route at $5$ km/h.
(c) At what time does Noah get home?

You must show your working.

(2 marks)
Level 3 · 5 marksTry it
5
A garden centre sells bags of compost.

The graph shows the cost of buying different numbers of bags at the garden centre.(a) Give two features of the graph which show that the cost is directly proportional to the number of bags.

(2 marks)

The same compost can be bought online. Online, each bag costs the same as at the garden centre, but there is also a delivery charge of £ $20$ for each order.
(b) On the same axes, draw a graph to show the cost of buying bags of compost online.

(2 marks)
(c) How much more does it cost to buy $5$ bags online than at the garden centre?

(1 mark)
Level 3 · 5 marksTry it

7 more questions on real-life graphs (conversion, cost and travel graphs)

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