THE VISUAL TRICKLE

Addo-Yobo Alfred (Sparrow)

In Coordinate Geometry, the Visual Trickle is a way of visually determining the equation of a line with a given slope or gradient and a point (x, y). The traditional or somewhat ideal way of calculating the equation of the line with the above parameters given is y p = m(x- q) where m is the gradient and q , p are the coordinates of the point. The Visual Trickle may not necessarily be entirely different from the ideal way just that its a more visualization and quicker method of calculating the equation of the line. To be able to effectively apply the Visual Trickle in the determination of the equation of the line, two key things must be noted; The gradient as well as the point (x , y) must be given. The gradient must always be viewed fractionally in the form (a / b) even if the question presents the gradient as a whole number. Thus, if the gradient is given as say, 4, it must be viewed as (4/1) in order to have the denominator and numerator bases as 1 and 4 respectively.

THEORIES ON THE VISUAL TRICKLE With a given point (x , y) and the gradient, the visual trickle can be applied to determine the line equation. Always view the gradient as a fraction even if the question presents it in whole number form. The final solution of an equation of a line is always of the form, ay = bx + c where a and b are the coefficients of the y and x variables respectively in the final solution as well as c being a number. In the Visual Trickle method, the coefficients of the y and x components of the final equation of the line are always the denominator and numerator of the gradient when viewed fractionally. The c component of the final solution is calculated by multiplying the numerator of the gradient and a negated x coordinate of the point given and summing with the product of the denominator of gradient and the y coordinate of point. Obedience to these, completes the Visual Trickle and you have the equation of the line with a given gradient and point. Lets now try some examples of questions requesting solution of equation of the line and apply the Visual Trickle comparing the answer to the traditional method of solving. Calculate the equation of the line with a gradient of 2/3 and point A (-1, 2). Traditional method: y 2 = 2/3 (x - - 1) Multiplying through by 3 we have; 3y 6 = 2 (x + 1) 3y 6 = 2x + 2 3y = 2x + 8 Thus the equation of the line is 3y = 2x + 8

Visual Trickle method:

Our coefficients of the y and x components of the final solution is always the denominator and numerator of the gradient viewed as a fraction. Since the gradient given is 2/3, the coefficients of y and x components in the final equation of the line would be 3 and 2 thus 3y and 2x. The c component of the line equation is derived by multiplying the numerator of the gradient which in this case is 2 and a negated x coordinate which will be (+1) of the point given and summing with the product of the denominator of gradient which is 3 and the y coordinate of point which is 2. We will have a value after performing the calculation for thec component (2 x 1) + (3 x 2) = 8.
With the derived values in mind, the equation of the line of the question above is 3y = 2x + 8. Comparing this answer with the one derived by using the traditional reveals no differences. Practice with more questions in order to perfect the Visual Trickle. NB: All editions of the Mawrrow Series are visualization methods.Thus, try as much to avoid the use of a pen or pencil when practicing question using these methods. Just the brains and eyes. Watch out for third edition of Mawrrow Series which is resolved to drastically reducing the time students spend on calculation related problems in mathematics. If you also have a topic in mind you would love the Mawrrow team to help crack and carve out a visualization method for its solution, send them to alfaddoyobo89@gmail.com or call 0271012662 and we will do our best...