Idea 10of 22Builds onA bar graph compares groups
A line graph shows change over time
When should the dots on a graph be joined?
Today you'll discover
- why the dots are joined
- where the fastest change is
- when a line makes no sense
Think firstOur bean plant, measured once a week
Why are the dots joined with a line?
Decide first, then press Next. Follow the line from left to right.
A line graph of our bean plant's height, weeks 1 to 6 along the bottom and centimetres up the side: 2, 3, 7, 9, 11 and 12 cm, the dots joined by a line. The climb from week 2 to week 3 is marked plus 4 cm. Then the same kind of line wrongly joins Grade 5's sports votes. The last step shows the temperature through one October day.
See the whole ideathe big idea and the key word, in one place
The big idea
A line graph joins measurements over time, to show how something changes.
Compare themBars for separate groups, like sports or pizzas. A line for one thing measured again and again over time, like a plant or the temperature.
Easy to get wrongA steep piece going down is a fast drop, not a fast rise. Read which way the line goes.
Key word
- line graph
- a graph of dots joined by a line, showing how one thing changes over time
Ready to use it?
- Read a line graph's values.
- Find where a line graph changes the most.