1. Millburn Academy
Maths department
Higher
Angles and
Gradients

2. We know from National 5 that:
Given that:
B(x2,y2)
y2 – y1
opposite
A(x1,y1)
x2 – x1
adjacent
We know from National 5 that:
but
where θ is the anticlockwise angle from the horizontal to the line AB, or its extension.

3. Find the gradient of the line AB.
Example 1
Find the gradient of the line AB. B
30º A

4. Example 2
Find the angle that the line PQ makes with the positive direction of the
x-axis given the coordinates P(5,-4) and Q(-1,2).