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Data Handling and Probability - Interpreting and drawing line graphs

Grade 5IGCSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

Definition: A line graph is used to show how data changes over a continuous period of time.

The X-axis (Horizontal): Usually represents the independent variable, most commonly time (seconds, days, months, years).

The Y-axis (Vertical): Represents the dependent variable or the quantity being measured (temperature, height, distance).

Plotting Points: Data is marked as coordinates (dots) where the x-value and y-value meet.

Connecting Dots: Points are joined by straight lines to visualize the trend or pattern.

Interpreting Trends: An upward line indicates an increase, a downward line indicates a decrease, and a flat line indicates no change.

Scale Selection: Choosing a scale that fits all data points clearly on the grid using equal intervals.

📐Formulae

Interval Size=Highest ValueNumber of intervals on the axis\text{Interval Size} = \frac{\text{Highest Value}}{\text{Number of intervals on the axis}}

Value Difference=New ValueOriginal Value\text{Value Difference} = \text{New Value} - \text{Original Value}

Range=Highest ValueLowest Value\text{Range} = \text{Highest Value} - \text{Lowest Value}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A line graph shows a plant's height was 4 cm on Monday and 10 cm on Friday. What was the growth over these 5 days?

Solution:

10 cm4 cm=6 cm10\text{ cm} - 4\text{ cm} = 6\text{ cm}

Explanation:

To find the change or growth, subtract the starting value (Monday) from the ending value (Friday). The plant grew 6 cm.

Problem 2:

You are plotting temperature data where the highest temperature is 35°C. If your Y-axis has 7 major grid squares, what should each interval represent?

Solution:

35÷7=535 \div 7 = 5

Explanation:

Divide the maximum value by the number of squares available to find a suitable scale. Each grid line should represent 5°C.

Problem 3:

In a graph representing a car's journey, the line is perfectly horizontal between 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM. What does this tell you about the car's movement?

Solution:

The car was stationary (stopped).

Explanation:

A horizontal line on a distance-time graph indicates that the distance is not changing as time passes, meaning the object is at rest.