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Input/output tables Equivalent expressions Algebraic expressions InequalitiesHere you will learn about types of graphs, including points on the coordinate plane, linear graphs, plotting linear equations, and interpreting linear graphs.
Students first learn about graphs in the early grades when gathering and plotting data on line graphs and circle graphs with their work in measurement and data.
In the 6th grade, students begin to work with the coordinate plane in order to graph ordered pairs with their work in expressions and equations.
Every week, we teach lessons on different types of graphs to students in schools and districts across the US as part of our online one-on-one math tutoring programs. On this page we’ve broken down everything we’ve learnt about teaching this topic effectively.
Types of graphs are visual representations of mathematical relationships. Types of graphs can include points, straight lines, curves, polygons, and circles, depending on the type of graph that is needed.
Graphing is a major component to the understanding of mathematics because it provides a visual representation of a mathematical relationship. Letβs look at different types of charts and graphs.
Name of graph | Sample of graph |
---|---|
Pie graph: | |
Pictograph: | |
Bar Graph: | |
Line Graph: | |
Box and whisker plot: | |
Coordinate plane: | |
Scatter plot: | |
Venn diagram: |
Use this worksheet to check your grade 6 to high school studentsβ understanding of types of graphs. 15 questions with answers to identify areas of strength and support!
DOWNLOAD FREEUse this worksheet to check your grade 6 to high school studentsβ understanding of types of graphs. 15 questions with answers to identify areas of strength and support!
DOWNLOAD FREELetβs focus on the coordinate plane and how it is used.
\textbf{x} axis and \textbf{y} axis:
The x axis and y axis are straight lines that make up the coordinate plane, where |
The x axis and y axis divides the plane | Points on the coordinate plane are |
Each quadrant has unique characteristics.
Quadrant I | Quadrant II | Quadrant III | Quadrant IV |
---|---|---|---|
(x, y) | (x, y) | (x, y) | (x, y) |
Step by step guide: Coordinate plane
The coordinate plane can be used to find the distance between points.
For example, plot the coordinates A \, (-2, 3) and B \, (6, 3) on the coordinate plane and then find the distance between the points.
Plot the points and then count the units between the points.
Count the number of units from point A to point B. It is 8 units. You can also find the absolute value of the difference to find the distance.
|-2-6|=|-8|=8
Step by step guide: Plot points on a graph.
Linear graphs are graphs that form straight lines on a coordinate plane.
For example, the graphs below show linear graphs because they are straight lines.
Linear graphs can represent proportional relationships if they contain the point (0, 0).
If a linear graph is proportional, the points have a common ratio in the form of \, \cfrac{y}{x} \, .
Graph 1 is a proportional relationship because the line passes through the origin, (0, 0) and the points have a common ratio of \, \cfrac{-1}{1} \, .
Graph 2 is not a proportional relationship because the line does not pass through the origin and the points do not have a common ratio.
Step-by-step guide: Linear graphs
Equations can represent linear relationships and be graphed on the coordinate plane.
For example, graph the equation y=\cfrac{1}{2} \, x on the coordinate graph by making a table of values.
The x -coordinate is the independent variable, so you can choose any value you want for x. Substitute the values of x into the equation to find the y -coordinates.
The y -coordinate is the dependent variable because itβs value depends on the x value.
x | y=\cfrac{1}{2} \, x | y | (x,y) |
---|---|---|---|
-2\;\; | \begin{aligned} y&=\cfrac{1}{2} \, (-2) \\ y&=-1 \end{aligned} | -1\;\; | (-2, -1) |
0 | \begin{aligned} y&=\cfrac{1}{2} \, (0) \\ y&=0 \end{aligned} | 0 | (0, 0) |
2 | \begin{aligned} y&=\cfrac{1}{2} \, (2) \\ y&=1 \end{aligned} | 1 | (2, 1) |
The equation y=\cfrac{1}{2} \, x is a linear graph, and it passes through the origin.
Also, the ratio of the points in the form of \, \cfrac{y}{x} \, is \, \cfrac{1}{2} \, .
\begin{aligned} &(2,1) \, \rightarrow \, \cfrac{1}{2}\\\\ &(-2,-1) \, \rightarrow \, \cfrac{-1}{-2}=\cfrac{1}{2} \end{aligned}
Linear equations in the form of y=kx represent proportional relationships where k is the common ratio, which also represents the constant of proportionality.
The equation y=kx can be called direct variation.
Direct variation is when x, the independent variable, varies directly with y, the dependent variable. This means that the ratio between the x -coordinate and the y -coordinate is constant.
For example, if x and y vary directly, find the equation of direct variation when x = 3 and y = 12.
The x -coordinate and y -coordinate vary directly, which means the ratio of the x and y coordinates is the same or constant.
\begin{aligned} & k=\frac{y}{x} \\\\ & k=\frac{12}{3}=4 \end{aligned}
Since k=4 , the equation of direct variation is y=4x .
Step by step guide: Direct Variation
Graphs can be used to represent real world situations where you may be asked to interpret the graph.
Make sure to look at the key information on the graph. You may be asked to read a value from the graph, interpret a point on the graph, or find a constant of variation (proportionality) from the graph.
For example, the graph represents a proportional, linear relationship where the distance you are from lightning varies directly with the time it takes for you to hear the thunder. Interpret the point (4, 12) from the graph.
Step-by-step guide: Interpreting graphs
How does this relate to 6th grade math, 7th grade math, and 8th grade math?
In order to recognize types of graphs:
Does the graph represent a linear relationship?
The graph is a non-linear relationship because it does not form a straight line.
2Identify if the linear relationship represents direct variation.
The graph is not linear.
Does the graph represent a linear relationship?
Identify the graph as a linear relationship or a non-linear relationship.
The graph is a linear relationship because it forms a straight line.
Identify if the linear relationship represents direct variation.
The graph is a linear relationship but it does not represent direct variation because the line does not pass through the origin, (0, 0).
Classify each of the graphs as linear or non-linear.
Identify the graph as a linear relationship or a non-linear relationship.
Graph A is a non-linear relationship because it is not a straight line.
Graph B is a linear relationship because it forms a straight line.
Graph C is a linear relationship because it forms a straight line.
Graph D is a non-linear relationship because it does not form a straight line.
Identify if the linear relationship represents direct variation.
Graph C is a linear graph that represents a direct variation because the line passes through the origin.
In order to plot different types of graphs
Plot the graph represented by the equation y=x +3.
Complete the table of values.
Substitute the values of x into the equation, y=x +3. Write the values of y in the table.
Plot the coordinates.
Draw a straight line through the points.
Plot the graph represented by the equation y=3.
Complete the table of values.
In this case the the y value will be -2 for each x value.
Plot the coordinates.
Draw a straight line through the points.
Plot the graph represented by the equation y=-4x.
Complete the table of values.
Substitute the values of x into the equation, y=-4x. Write the values of y in the table.
Plot the coordinates.
Draw a straight line through the points.
1. Identify the graph that represents a direct variation.
The linear graph that passes through the origin represents direct variation.
2. Select the graph that represents a linear relationship that isnβt proportional.
The graph shows a linear relationship that does not pass through the origin which means that it is a linear relationship that is not proportional.
3. Which graph represents the equation y=-2?
Make a table of values for the equation y=-2.
The y -value is -2 for each of the different x -values.
Plot the points.
Then connect the point with a smooth line.
4. Identify the correct graph for this equation: y=x-2
Make a table of values for the equation y=x-2.
Substitute the x values into the equation to find the y values.
Plot the points.
Connect the points.
5. Which equation represents the linear graph?
The linear equation y=-x represents a proportional relationship or direct variation because it is in the form of y=kx where k=-1.
Also, itβs the only equation that has the point (0, 0).
6. Which equation represents the linear graph?
Looking at the graph you can see that it does not pass through the origin so it will not be a proportional relationship.
Therefore, the equation will not be in the form of y=kx.
When you substitute values for x into the equation, y=x+3, the point (-2, 1), (-1, 2), (0, 3), (1, 4),(2, 5) exists on the line which matches the graph.
No, as you move through high school you will graph curves such as quadratic functions, exponential functions, and other polynomial functions.
Yes, when you learn algebra you will learn about linear equations in slope-intercept form, point-slope form, and standard form.
Making a table of values is a method that will always work when plotting a linear equation. However, in algebra you will learn other methods that require less arithmetic such as using slope, y -intercept, and x -intercept.
There are many different kinds of graph types. In algebra, you will use the coordinate plane and analyze scatter plots. In a statistics class, you will use statistical graphs and charts depending on the different data collected.
A histogram is used to graph frequency distributions and is quite similar to a bar graph.
No, there are many digital tools you can use to graph data sets such as excel, Google sheets, Desmos, etc.
No, in high school you will be exposed to statistics where you learn in depth about the various ways to display and analyze data. Other charts and graphs you will learn about are waterfall charts in excel, area graphs, bubble graphs, to name a few.
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