The table below shows experimental values of two variables xx and yy, which are connected by an equation of the form ay=bx+1\frac{a}{y} = \frac{b}{x} + 1, where aa and bb are constants.
xx1.2522.55
yy11.511.823.08
It is found that the values of 1x\frac{1}{x} are rather small. Another straight line graph is proposed by using xx as the horizontal axis.

  1. (a)

    Plot 1y\frac{1}{y} against 1x\frac{1}{x} and draw a straight line graph.

    [Grid provided on page 11]

    [Grid provided on page 11 for plotting 1y\frac{1}{y} against 1x\frac{1}{x}]

  2. (b)

    Use your graph to estimate the value of aa and of bb.

  3. (c)

    State the variable in the vertical axis for this proposed new line.

  4. (d)

    Explain how the values of aa and bb can be found using this proposed new line.

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Worked solution

7(a)

1. Calculate the values of 1/x and 1/y for each data point.

For x=1.25,2,2.5,5x = 1.25, 2, 2.5, 5:
1x=0.8,0.5,0.4,0.2\frac{1}{x} = 0.8, 0.5, 0.4, 0.2

For y=1,1.51,1.82,3.08y = 1, 1.51, 1.82, 3.08:
1y=1,0.662,0.549,0.325\frac{1}{y} = 1, 0.662, 0.549, 0.325

2. Plot the points and draw the line of best fit.

Plot the points (0.8,1)(0.8, 1), (0.5,0.662)(0.5, 0.662), (0.4,0.549)(0.4, 0.549), and (0.2,0.325)(0.2, 0.325) on the grid and draw a straight line passing through or close to all points.

Answer

A straight line graph plotted on the grid with horizontal axis 1x\frac{1}{x} and vertical axis 1y\frac{1}{y}.

7(b)

1. Rearrange the given equation into a linear form $Y = mX + c$ where $Y = \frac{1}{y}$ and $X = \frac{1}{x}$.

ay=bx+1\frac{a}{y} = \frac{b}{x} + 1

Divide by aa:
1y=ba(1x)+1a\frac{1}{y} = \frac{b}{a}\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) + \frac{1}{a}

2. Use the $Y$-intercept from the graph to find $a$.

From the linear form, the YY-intercept is 1a\frac{1}{a}.
Using the points (0.2,0.325)(0.2, 0.325) and (0.8,1)(0.8, 1) to find the equation of the line:
Gradient m=1−0.3250.8−0.2=0.6750.6=1.125m = \frac{1 - 0.325}{0.8 - 0.2} = \frac{0.675}{0.6} = 1.125
YY-intercept c=1−1.125(0.8)=0.1c = 1 - 1.125(0.8) = 0.1

1a=0.1\frac{1}{a} = 0.1
a=10a = 10

3. Use the gradient from the graph to find $b$.

From the linear form, the gradient is ba\frac{b}{a}.
ba=1.125\frac{b}{a} = 1.125
b10=1.125\frac{b}{10} = 1.125
b=11.25b = 11.25

Answer

a=10a = 10, b=11.25b = 11.25

7(c)

1. Rearrange the given equation to form a linear equation with $x$ as the independent variable

Given ay=bx+1\frac{a}{y} = \frac{b}{x} + 1.
Multiply the entire equation by xx to make xx the horizontal axis variable:
axy=b+x\frac{ax}{y} = b + x
a(xy)=x+ba\left(\frac{x}{y}\right) = x + b
xy=1ax+ba\frac{x}{y} = \frac{1}{a}x + \frac{b}{a}

Answer

xy\frac{x}{y}

7(d)

1. Express the equation in the new linear form $Y = mX + c$ where $X = x$

Starting with ay=bx+1\frac{a}{y} = \frac{b}{x} + 1, multiply throughout by xx:
axy=b+x\frac{ax}{y} = b + x
xy=1ax+ba\frac{x}{y} = \frac{1}{a}x + \frac{b}{a}

2. Explain how to find $a$ and $b$ from the gradient and intercept

Comparing xy=1ax+ba\frac{x}{y} = \frac{1}{a}x + \frac{b}{a} with Y=mX+cY = mX + c:
The gradient m=1am = \frac{1}{a}, so a=1ma = \frac{1}{m}.
The vertical intercept c=bac = \frac{b}{a}, so b=acb = ac.

Answer

The value of aa can be found by taking the reciprocal of the gradient of the line. The value of bb can be found by multiplying the vertical intercept by aa.

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