Reading graphs
Read axes, units, and intervals to connect graph changes with situations.
Meaning
Graphs represent relationships between quantities through position and shape. Axis meanings, units, and scales let you interpret increases, decreases, constant intervals, and rates.
Example
If time in minutes is horizontal and water in L is vertical, 6 L at 2 minutes and 10 L at 4 minutes mean an average increase of 2 L per minute over that interval. The increase is 10−6=4 L over 4−2=2 minutes. Divide the change in water by the elapsed time to find the average change per minute. This does not imply a constant rate at every moment. Height and steepness are different. With different axis ranges or scales, apparent steepness alone cannot compare change.
Practice for this concept
Scope and references
Topics
Increasing and decreasing, constant intervals, rates of change, connecting contexts and graphs
Learning goal
Read axes, units, and intervals to connect graph changes with situations.
Helpful background
Explore axis labels, units, and changes over intervals.
Reading graphs
These ordinary choice questions provide limited practice in this concept. They do not establish independent solution, full-concept performance, or mastery.