One to one maths interventions built for KS4 success

Weekly online one to one GCSE maths revision lessons now available

Learn more

Time Series Graph

Here we will learn about time series graphs, including drawing, reading from and analysing the trend.

There is also a time series graph worksheet based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re still stuck.

What is a time series graph?

A time series graph is a line graph that shows data such as measurements, sales or frequencies over a given time period. They can be used to show a pattern or trend in the data and are useful for making predictions about the future such as weather forecasting or financial growth.

To draw a time series graph, we need a set of axes.

The horizontal axis always shows the time period, and the vertical axis represents the variable being recorded against time.

For example,

This time series graph shows the temperature of a town recorded over two years at three-monthly periods known as quarters.

time series graphs image 1

The coordinates are plotted and then joined together with straight line segments. It is important that the axis labels are clear so that the time series graph can be interpreted. The horizontal axis is always a continuous scale and both axes should increase in equal steps

A trendline is difficult to plot for a time series when the data is clearly fluctuating (rising and falling values over time). This type of data can be described as seasonal. Instead of plotting a line of best fit, we plot a moving average.

What is a time series graph?

What is a time series graph?

How to draw a time series graph

In order to draw a time series graph:

  1. Draw and label a horizontal scale based on the time intervals of the data provided.
  2. Draw and label the vertical axis, choosing an appropriate scale.
  3. Plot the points and join with straight line segments.

Explain how to draw a time series graph

Explain how to draw a time series graph

Time series graph worksheet

Time series graph worksheet

Time series graph worksheet

Get your free time series graph worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

DOWNLOAD FREE
x
Time series graph worksheet

Time series graph worksheet

Time series graph worksheet

Get your free time series graph worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

DOWNLOAD FREE

Related lessons on representing data

Time series graph is part of our series of lessons to support revision on representing data. You may find it helpful to start with the main representing data lesson for a summary of what to expect, or use the step by step guides below for further detail on individual topics. Other lessons in this series include:

Time series graph examples

Example 1: drawing a time series graph (year and quarters)

The table shows the average temperature in ^{o}C of a city recorded for each quarter for the years 2020 and 2021.

time series graphs example 1 image 1

Draw a time series graph to show this data.

  1. Draw and label a horizontal scale based on the time intervals of the data provided.

The horizontal scale needs to show the eight quarters of the years 2020 and 2021.

time series graphs example 1 step 1

2Draw and label the vertical axis, choosing an appropriate scale.

The lowest value is 7^{o}C and the highest is 25^{o}C. Starting from zero will be appropriate for this data.

time series graphs example 1 step 2

3Plot the points and join with straight line segments.

As we know the value for each quarter and this is not grouped data, we plot the value in line with each quarter mark on the horizontal axis.

time series graphs example 1 step 3

Example 2: drawing a time series graph with a break in the vertical axis

The table shows the percentage attendance of a group at a dance school over the period of a year.

time series graphs example 2 image 1

Draw a time series graph to show this data.

Draw and label a horizontal scale based on the time intervals of the data provided.

Draw and label the vertical axis, choosing an appropriate scale.

Plot the points and join with straight line segments.

Example 3: continuous numerical horizontal axis

The table shows the temperature, in ^{o}C, of a hot drink, recorded every 10 seconds over a period of 80 seconds.

time series graphs example 3 image 1

Draw a time series graph to show this data.

Draw and label a horizontal scale based on the time intervals of the data provided.

Draw and label the vertical axis, choosing an appropriate scale.

Plot the points and join with straight line segments.

Interpreting a time series graph

A line of best fit is required when analysing a trend in a time series or to estimate future values. If a time series shows seasonal data (seasonality), it is far more accurate to draw a moving average than a line of best fit.

However, a line of best fit is a quick way to be able to estimate values both within the data range (interpolation) and beyond the data range (extrapolation). This is exactly the same process for scatter graphs although the analysis is subtly different.

We cannot use correlation descriptors for data represented in a time series plot as we are not comparing two variables, we are tracking one variable over a period of time.

Drawing a line of best fit

To draw a line of best fit, draw a straight line through as many points as possible, making sure that the number of data points on either side of the line of best fit is the same. Extend the line of best fit beyond the data range if required.

If the line of best fit has a positive gradient, this shows that the recorded values have a positive trend (trending upwards).

If the line of best fit has a negative gradient, this shows that the recorded values have a negative trend (trending downwards).

For example,

If we look at temperature change over time, an increasing trend would mean the temperature is increasing over time; a decreasing trend would mean the temperature is decreasing over time.

time series graphs drawing a line of best fit image 1

To find a specific value within the data, we need to use the line of best fit to locate the value from the opposing axis.

If we know the time of the data value, we draw a vertical line up to the line of best fit, and then a horizontal line to the other axis and read the value that it reaches.

time series graphs drawing a line of best fit image 2

If we know the value on the vertical axis, we draw a horizontal line to the line of best fit, and then a vertical line down to the horizontal axis and read the time for that data value.

time series graphs drawing a line of best fit image 3

This is the same approach if the value is beyond the current data set. Here, we just need to extend the line of best fit in the same direction beyond the data and locate the required value using the method above.

Note: Any value that is interpreted using the line of best fit but which is beyond the data range, is always an estimate (or prediction) as we do not know what happens to the data beyond the known values.

How to interpret a time series graph

In order to interpret a time series:

  1. Draw a line of best fit.
  2. Answer the question specifics.

Explain how to interpret a time series graph

Explain how to interpret a time series graph

Interpreting time series graphs examples

Example 4: describe the trend in the data

Below is a time series showing the number of people attending the cinema over a three week period.

time series graphs example 4 image 1

Describe the trend in the data over the three weeks.

Draw a line of best fit.

Answer the question specifics.

Example 5: estimate a value within the data range (interpolation)

Below is a time series showing the viewing figures of a football match over 90 minutes, recorded every 10 minutes from the channel FOOTY LIVE.

time series graphs example 5 image 1

What time would you expect there to be 2.4 million viewers watching the football match on FOOTY LIVE?

Draw a line of best fit.

Answer the question specifics.

Example 6: estimate a value beyond the data range (extrapolation)

Below is a time series showing the number of bacteria in a petri dish. Every hour, 75\% of bacteria are extracted to make a new broth.

time series graphs example 6 image 1

Estimate the number of bacteria in the petri dish at 12:50pm.

Draw a line of best fit.

Answer the question specifics.

Common misconceptions

  • Points on the time series graph joined using a curve

For the purposes of the time series graphs in GCSE mathematics it is important to use straight line segments to join the points of a time series graph. This can sometimes appear in exams in questions where you will be asked to explain any mistake made on a time series graph.

  • The horizontal axis is labelled as the variable, with the vertical axis labelled as Time

For a time series, the horizontal axis is always labelled as Time.

  • The first and last values of the time series are connected to the horizontal axis

It is not always the case where the first and last values are connected to the time series. This is only the case when both of these values are 0. For example, the temperature at midnight could be 0^{o}C, rise and fall throughout the day, and then be 0^{o}C at midnight, the following night. This would mean that the values would meet the horizontal axis.

  • Two values for one time interval

A time series cannot have multiple values for one time period unless you are tracking two different variables. For example, we cannot record two values for the number of entrants to a zoo at 12:30pm but we can record the number of adults and the number of children who have entered a zoo at 12:30pm on the same axis.

  • The line of best fit is drawn instead of connecting the data values with line segments

The data values are treated as a scatter plot and so they are not connected using line segments. Instead, the line of best fit is drawn, which is incorrect.

Practice time series graph questions

1. Which of the following time series graphs correctly represents the data in the table below.

 

time series graphs practice question 1 image 1

time series graphs practice question 1 image 2

GCSE Quiz False

time series graphs practice question 1 answer image 1

GCSE Quiz True

time series graphs practice question 1 answer image 2

GCSE Quiz False

time series graphs practice question 1 answer image 3

GCSE Quiz False

Each data value must be plotted in the correct place. They should be joined together using straight line segments. There should only be one value per quarter as this is a plot for one variable.

2. The times series graph shows the attendance for the girls in a school class between January and July.

 

time series graphs practice question 2 image 1

 

Use the information in the table provided to draw the time series for the Boys attendance on the same set of axes.

 

time series graphs practice question 2 image 2

GCSE Quiz False

time series graphs practice question 2 answer image 1

GCSE Quiz True

time series graphs practice question 2 answer image 2

GCSE Quiz False

time series graphs practice question 2 answer image 4

GCSE Quiz False

All of the data values must be plotted correctly with only one value for a time interval (here, per month). The plotted points are then connected using a straight line segment from the current to the next point only.

3. The table shows the sales (in thousands) of a toy produced by a company, over the period of a year.

 

time series graphs practice question 3 image 1

 

Which is the correct time series graph to show this data?

time series graphs practice question 3 image 2

GCSE Quiz False

time series graphs practice question 3 answer image 1

GCSE Quiz True

time series graphs practice question 3 answer image 2

GCSE Quiz False

time series graphs practice question 3 answer image 3

GCSE Quiz False

The horizontal axis is labelled as the time increment (here, the month) and the vertical axis is labelled Sales (1000s). Each data value is correctly plotted and connected using a straight line segment. A break is drawn in the vertical axis as there are no values for Sales between 0 and 3.5 (thousand).

4. The average pace for a runner was recorded every 5 minutes for one hour. The results are shown in the time series graph below.

 

time series graphs practice question 4 image 1

 

Describe the trend in the data.

Increasing (she is getting faster as time passes)

GCSE Quiz False

Increasing (she is getting slower as time passes)

GCSE Quiz False

Decreasing (she is getting faster as time passes)

GCSE Quiz True

Decreasing (she is getting slower as time passes)

GCSE Quiz False

Drawing a line of best fit, we have

 

time series graphs practice question 4 explanation

 

The trend is decreasing because as time passes, the values for the pace decrease (negative gradient). This means that the pace of the runner is running a kilometre in less time, and is therefore getting faster.

5. A bakery tracks the sales of their signature loaf of bread. The results are recorded every day up to the Tuesday of Week 4 (today) and is written up into a time series.

 

time series graphs practice question 5 image 1

 

Estimate the number of sales of their signature loaf on Saturday of Week 4.

14
GCSE Quiz False

16
GCSE Quiz False

19
GCSE Quiz True

21
GCSE Quiz False

Draw a line of best fit for the data recorded on Saturdays.

 

time series graphs practice question 5 explanation image 1

 

Extending the line of best fit, we have

 

time series graphs practice question 5 explanation image 2

 

Drawing a vertical line from Saturday of Week 4 up to the line of best fit, and across to the other axis, this reads a value of 19 loaves.

 

time series graphs practice question 5 explanation image 3

6. A person’s heart rate (measured in beats per minute, bpm) is measured throughout a workout, and recorded every 5 minutes in the time series below.

 

time series graphs practice question 6 image 1

 

How many minutes does it take for the heart rate to reach 145bpm after commencing the workout?

15 minutes

GCSE Quiz False

37.5 minutes

GCSE Quiz False

12 minutes

GCSE Quiz True

24 minutes

GCSE Quiz False

Looking at the time series, drawing a horizontal line from the 145bpm mark on the vertical axis, we get to the line segment of the graph. The time at this point reads 12 minutes.

 

time series graphs practice question 6 explanation

Time series graph GCSE questions

1. The table shows the amount of money a taxi driver earned during one week.

 

time series graphs gcse question 1 image 1

 

(a) Complete the time series graph for Thursday to Saturday.

 

time series graphs gcse question 1a image 1

 

(b) Describe the trend of the data.

 

(3 marks)

Show answer

(a)

 

time series graphs gcse question 1a image 2

 

Points plotted correctly

(1)

Points joined with straight lines

(1)

 

(b) Increasing

(1)

2. The table shows the average daily sales of an ice cream van from January through to December of the same year.

 

time series graphs gcse 2 image 1-1

 

(a) Complete the time series graph for the months August to December.

 

time series graphs gcse question 2a image 1

 

(b) How many months were the average daily sales of ice cream above 40 ice creams per day?

 

(3 marks)

Show answer

(a)

 

time series graphs gcse question 2a image 2

 

Points plotted correctly

(1)

Points joined with straight lines

(1)

 

(b) 6 months

(1)

3. Below is a time series plot showing the amount of rainfall.

State the three mistakes that have been made with the time series graph.

 

time series graphs gcse question 3 image 1

 

(3 marks)

Show answer

Scale on the y -axis not correct, gaps not consistent.

(1)

Points are not joined with straight lines.

(1)

Horizontal axes ( x -axis) not labelled, so not clear what the 1,2,3,4 represent.

(1)

Learning checklist

You have now learned how to:

  • Interpret and construct tables and line graphs for time series data

Still stuck?

Prepare your KS4 students for maths GCSEs success with Third Space Learning. Weekly online one to one GCSE maths revision lessons delivered by expert maths tutors.

GCSE Benefits

Find out more about our GCSE maths tuition programme.