x and y axis

Here we will learn about the x and y axis, including drawing axes, and reading scales on a variety of statistical graphs.

There are also x and y axis worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re still stuck.

What are the x and y axis?

The \textbf{x} and \textbf{y} axis are axes in the Cartesian coordinate system. They are straight lines that form a coordinate plane where each point on the plane can be represented as a coordinate of the form (x,y).

The \textbf{x} -axis is a horizontal line (left to right).

The \textbf{y} -axis is a vertical line (up and down).

The x -axis and y -axis intersect at the origin (0,0).

Coordinates must be written as a pair of values, separated by a comma, and surrounded by a set of round brackets e.g. (3,2), (-4,0), (-6.3,5.7).

x and y axis Image 1

From the origin, we label equal steps on each axis to show the location of values. In the diagram above, we have shown that every two unit squares is marked with a tick mark, and each of these values increases (or decreases) in steps of 1.

We can see that x is a positive value for all of the coordinates on the right side of the y -axis (yellow shading), and x is a negative value for all the coordinates on the left side of the y -axis (blue shading).

x and y axis Image 2

Furthermore, y is a positive value for every coordinate above the x -axis, and y is a negative value for any coordinate below the x -axis.

x and y axis Image 3

What are the x and y axis?

What are the x and y axis?

How to use a scale on an axis

In order to use the x and y axis:

  1. Use the data given to write the range of values/categories for the \textbf{x} -axis.
  2. Use the data given to write the range of values for the \textbf{y} -axis.
  3. Label each axis.

Explain how to use a scale on an axis

Explain how to use a scale on an axis

<tnr>x</tnr> and <tnr>y</tnr> axis worksheet

x and y axis worksheet

<tnr>x</tnr> and <tnr>y</tnr> axis worksheet

Get your free x and y axis worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

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<tnr>x</tnr> and <tnr>y</tnr> axis worksheet

x and y axis worksheet

<tnr>x</tnr> and <tnr>y</tnr> axis worksheet

Get your free x and y axis worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

DOWNLOAD FREE

Related lessons on representing data

x and y axis 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:

x and y axis examples

Example 1: bar chart axis with discrete data

Construct a bar chart axis for the following data.

x and y axis Example 1

  1. Use the data given to write the range of values/categories for the \textbf{x} -axis.

As the data is discrete, the x -axis will have the names of the Movie genre.

Remember a bar chart must have gaps between each bar when representing discrete data.

x and y axis Example 1 Step 1

2Use the data given to write the range of values for the \textbf{y} -axis.

The y -axis should have the frequency on it. The frequencies range from 1 to 9 so we can start the axis at 0 , and label equal steps up to 10.

x and y axis Example 1 Step 2

3Label each axis.

x and y axis Example 1 Step 3

Step-by-step guide: Bar charts

Example 2: bar chart axis with grouped discrete data

Construct a bar chart axis for the following data.

x and y axis Example 2

Use the data given to write the range of values/categories for the \textbf{x} -axis.

Use the data given to write the range of values for the \textbf{y} -axis.

Label each axis.

Example 3: histogram axis with continuous data

Construct a histogram for the following data.

x and y axis Example 3

Use the data given to write the range of values/categories for the \textbf{x} -axis.

Use the data given to write the range of values for the \textbf{y} -axis.

Label each axis.

Step-by-step guide: Histogram

Example 4: scatter graph axis with independent and dependent variables

Construct a set of axes for a scatter graph to represent the following data.

x and y axis Example 4

Use the data given to write the range of values/categories for the \textbf{x} -axis.

Use the data given to write the range of values for the \textbf{y} -axis.

Label each axis.

Step-by-step guide: Scatter graphs

Example 5: cumulative frequency including a break

Construct a set of axes for a cumulative frequency graph to represent the following data.

x and y axis Example 5

Use the data given to write the range of values/categories for the \textbf{x} -axis.

Use the data given to write the range of values for the \textbf{y} -axis.

Label each axis.

Example 6: line graph (time series graph) including a break

Construct a set of axes for a line graph axis to represent the following set of data.

x and y axis Example 6

Use the data given to write the range of values/categories for the \textbf{x} -axis.

Use the data given to write the range of values for the \textbf{y} -axis.

Label each axis.

Step-by-step guide: Line graphs

Common misconceptions

  • The gaps between the values on either axis have to be equal

The scale on the axis is very important as if the values are not spaced correctly then the chart will not represent the data accurately.

For example: The two graphs below show the amount of product sold by 4 rival companies. Graph A has an incorrectly plotted y -axis. This misrepresents the data and makes it appear that company number 1 is doing much better than its rivals. Graph B is scaled correctly and the graph shows a true picture of company performance.

x and y axis Common Misconceptions Image

  • Unequal spacing between tick marks on a single axis

When drawing a set of axes, the spacing between each tick mark must be the same; if four squares represents 1 unit increase, the next tick mark should be 4 squares along and labelled 1 more than the previous tick mark.

  • Incorrect axis labels (missing units)

Make sure that the row / column title of the table matches the axis on the graph. If the column title is “Time (mins)”, you must write “Time (mins)” and not “Time” as the unit is not specified and so any value taken from the graph may be misinterpreted.

  • Incorrect axis labels (switched labels)

Make sure that the row / column title of the table matches the axis on the graph. The scale on the axis should be labelled with the correct title (e.g. the horizontal axis for a bar chart with categories: Dog, Cat, Rabbit, Horse, Other, should be labelled as “Favourite pet” and not “Frequency”.

  • The axis scale does not allow for all points to be plotted

You must make sure that the scale for each axis will allow all values in the data set to be plotted.

  • The axis labels and step marks are too close together / too far apart

When the axis is drawn, you do not need to label every square with a value. Conversely, do not only write the highest value at the end of the axis, and 0 at the origin. Most of the time you will be given a suitable grid for you to plot a graph or chart to a suitable size.

Practice x and y axis questions

1. Using this table of values, select the most appropriate scale to use for the x -axis on the grid provided.

 

x and y axis Practice Question 1 Image 1

 

x and y axis Practice Question 1 Image 2

0-24 using multiples of 2

GCSE Quiz True

0-100 increasing in multiples of 10

GCSE Quiz False

0-15 increasing in multiples of 1

GCSE Quiz False

4-24 increasing in multiples of 10

GCSE Quiz False

The x -axis, for this data, will have the number of customers plotted on it. The range of data is from 0 to 24 so an appropriate scale is to increase in multiples of 2.

 

x and y axis Practice Question 1 Explanation Image

2. Using this table of values select the appropriate scale to use on the y -axis.

 

x and y axis Practice Question 1 Image 3

 

x and y axis Practice Question 2 Image 2

0-24 increasing in multiples of 2

GCSE Quiz False

0-100 increasing in multiples of 10

GCSE Quiz False

0-16 increasing in multiples of 1

GCSE Quiz True

1-14 increasing in multiples of 0.5

GCSE Quiz False

The range of data for the frequency is from 1 to 14 so an appropriate scale is to increase in multiples of 1 for each square, so two squares would be labelled as a multiple of 2.

 

x and y axis Practice Question 2 Explanation Image

3. The range of values for a set of data is 14 to 20. How is a broken scale shown on this axis?

A dotted line which hides any value above the number 20.

GCSE Quiz False

A zigzag line which compresses the axis as there are no data values in this location.

GCSE Quiz True

A dotted line which hides the numbers before 14.

GCSE Quiz False

A zigzag drawn in the axis so that the data values are equally spread out.

GCSE Quiz False

Graphs / charts that feature a broken scale are useful in situations when there are no data values to plot onto a graph, close to zero.

4. For this table of values, what is the best scale to use for the x -axis?

 

x and y axis Practice Question 4

0-12 increasing in multiples of 1.

GCSE Quiz False

0-26 increasing in multiples of 2.

GCSE Quiz True

0-22.5 increasing in multiples of 0.5.

GCSE Quiz False

A broken axis from 4-11 increasing in multiples of 2.

GCSE Quiz False

The range of the data for the test score is between 0 and 25 and so it is suitable to write an axis from 0 to 26 and increase in multiples of 2.

5. The table below shows the number of strides and the time taken in seconds to run 100m. Which of the following four sets of axes would allow for an accurate scatter plot for the data set in the table below?

 

x and y axis Practice Question 5 Image 1

x and y axis Practice Question 5 Image 2

GCSE Quiz False

x and y axis Practice Question 5 correct answer

GCSE Quiz True

x and y axis Practice Question 5 Image 3

GCSE Quiz False

x and y axis Practice Question 5 Image 4

GCSE Quiz False

Time should be on the x -axis (horizontal axis) and so the Number of strides will be on the y -axis (vertical axis). Each axis can have a break as this is a scatter graph and there is no data for values close to zero.

 

Each value must appear in the plotting area, and the scales should allow each point to be plotted with a suitable degree of accuracy.

6. The table below shows the Functional Threshold Power score of 10 cyclists. Which set of axes would allow for an accurate cumulative frequency plot for the data set below?

 

x and y axis Practice Question 6 Image 1

x and y axis Practice Question 6 Image 2

GCSE Quiz False

x and y axis Practice Question 6 Image 3

GCSE Quiz False

x and y axis Practice Question 6 Image 4

GCSE Quiz False

x and y axis Practice Question 6 Correct Answer

GCSE Quiz True

The vertical axis (the y -axis) is labelled as Cumulative Frequency when constructing a cumulative frequency graph. Also, the scale should not greatly over-exceed the data values and so should range from 0 to 10 for this data set.

 

The horizontal axis (the x -axis) should increase in equal steps and should not feature a break because the lowest FTP score can be 0.

x and y axis GCSE questions

1. Complete the scale on the diagram for a time series. Use a 24 hour clock.

 

x and y axis GCSE Question 1

 

(2 marks)

Show answer

12 : 15 and 12 : 45

(1)

13 : 00 and 13 : 15

(1)

2. (a) A group of people were asked what their favourite type of footwear is. Below is a table showing the results.

 

x and y axis GCSE Question 2a

 

Circle the type of data represented in the table.

 

Discrete       Continuous       Secondary      Random

 

(b) Using an appropriate scale, complete the y -axis for the table of data above.

 

x and y axis GCSE Question 2b Image 1

 

(3 marks)

Show answer

(a) Discrete data

(1)

 

(b)

 

x and y axis GCSE Question 2b Image 2

 

Axis labelled from 0-15 (minimum).

(1)

Appropriately spaced (using 2 squares for each unit).

(1)

3. A sandwich shop is recording the number of sandwiches sold per hour during one day of trade. The shop opens at 7 : 30am. Draw a time series to represent the data set. Use the axes below to help you.

 

x and y axis GCSE Question 3 Image 1

 

x and y axis GCSE Question 3 Image 2

 

(4 marks)

Show answer

x and y axis GCSE Question 3 Image 3

 

Time of day (t) labelled with a clear, equal scale on x -axis.

(1)

Appropriate scale used on the y -axis and labelled Frequency or Number of sandwiches sold.

(1)

All points plotted correctly.

(1)

Straight line segments drawn between each data value.

(1)

Learning checklist

You have now learned how to:

  • Use an appropriate graphical representation involving discrete, continuous and grouped data

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