Line Graphs
math
Features of a line graph
The title of the line graph tells us what the graph is about.The horizontal label across the bottom and the vertical label along the side tells us what kinds of facts are listed.The horizontal scale across the bottom and the vertical scale along the side tell us how much or how many.The points or dots on the graph show us the facts.The lines connecting the points give estimates of the values between the points.
steps for creating a line graph
Step 1
Draw a large cross in the middle of your graph paper. This represents the two axes -- one vertical, one horizontal.
Step 2
Label each axis with the variable it represents. To continue the temperature-time example from the introduction, you would label the x-axis as months during the year, and the y-axis as temperature
Step 3
Identify the range of data you have to include for each variable. select a range that was large enough to include the highest and lowest temperatures you plan to graph.
step 4
Decide how many units every line on the graph represents for each of your variables. Label several of the lines along each axis with the scale measurements. You need to label every line, but you should space the labeled line at regular intervals along the axis
step 5
Plot your data on the graph. Trace both lines to the point where they intersect. Place a dot on the intersection. Repeat for all of your other data until you plotted each point on the graph.
step 6
Connect the left-most dot and the dot to its right with a straight line. Continue connecting the dots, one by one, working from left to right. Make sure that it looks like you are connecting the points with straight lines only, so that the graph does not look curved. Once you have connected all of the points, you will have successfully graphed all of the data.
what are the pros & cons
Pros - Show absolute changes in data- 2 sets of data can be shown on the same graph .Cons - Scale can sometimes be difficult- Can only be used with continuous data