TRACKING CHANGES: LINE GRAPHS

Unit Overview

Use line graphs to display data that shows changes over time. Line graphs compare two variables. Each variable is plotted along an axis: an x-axis (horizontal) and a y-axis (vertical). Usually, the x-axis has numbers representing the time period and the y-axis has numbers for what is being measured. Changes over time will be reflected by the peaks (ups) and valleys (downs) in the line. Line graphs are useful in comparing economic data.

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition
Line Graph	Can be used to show changes over time. They show data visually
X-Axis	Runs side to side
Y-Axis	Runs up and down
Variable	Data is made up of two parts called variables. Line graphs compare these.

Be sure to watch the video about Line Graphs to learn more about them before the lesson begins.

Welcome to our exciting journey into the world of line graphs! In this unit, we will learn about line graphs and how they help us understand changes in data over time. Line graphs are like special pictures that show us how things change, and we will discover how to read and use them to compare different information. Let's get started!

What are Line Graphs?

Line graphs are like magic lines that help us see how things change over time. They are used to display data and information in a special way. With line graphs, we can track how something goes up and down or changes over a certain period, like days, months, or years.

How to Read Line Graphs?

Line graphs are easy to read once we know their secret! Imagine a graph with two lines - one is horizontal like a flat road (that's the x-axis) and the other is vertical like a tall tower (that's the y-axis). The x-axis shows numbers that represent time, like days or months. The y-axis shows numbers for what we are measuring, like the height of plants, the temperature, or the number of apples we picked.

Here is an example of a blank line graph.

Tracking Changes Over Time

Now, let's learn how line graphs help us understand changes over time. Imagine you are measuring how fast a turtle moves every day. You write down the numbers and plot them on the graph. As the days go by, the line on the graph will go up or down, like a roller coaster! When the line goes up, it means the turtle is moving faster, and when it goes down, the turtle is slowing down. By looking at the peaks (ups) and valleys (downs) on the graph, we can see how the turtle's speed changed over time.

Line Graphs Compare Two Things

Line graphs are smart because they compare two things together. One thing goes on the x-axis (horizontal) and the other on the y-axis (vertical). For example, we can use a line graph to compare the number of rainy days in a month (y-axis) with the amount of rain that fell (x-axis). This way, we can see if more rain made more rainy days or not!

Line Graphs in Real Life

Line graphs are super useful in the grown-up world too! Scientists, teachers, and even people who work with money use line graphs to compare things like temperature, plant growth, or how much money they spent. Economists use line graphs to see how money goes up and down in the economy, just like a roller coaster!

Congratulations! You are now a line graph expert! You have learned that line graphs show changes over time by using special lines on a graph. Remember to look for the peaks and valleys to see how things go up and down. Line graphs help us compare different information, and they are used in the real world to understand many exciting things. Keep exploring and using line graphs to learn more about the world around you!

Let’s Practice