Primary 5 Foundation maths · Data & graphs · About 12 minutes
Read line graphs
Read the axes and scale, locate the named observations, then compare their values.
Start the interactive lesson →Open practice activity
What you will learn
- Read line graphs
Models used: number sentences, stories, diagrams.
Before you start
Follow the change over time
The labels below the graph tell us the order of the days.
The labels below the graph tell us the order of the days.
Values recorded on four consecutive days. Monday is 4 and Tuesday is 8. The upward line shows an increase.
8 − 4 = 4
The value increases from four to eight. From Tuesday to Wednesday the line goes down. The value decreased by 2.
8 − 6 = 2
The value decreases from eight to six.
What did the picture help us see?
From Tuesday to Wednesday the line goes down. The value decreased by 2.
Worked example: A new example, together
Read the value for Mon.
Read the axes and scale, locate the named observations, then compare their values.
A line graph records values in order; a change is a difference between specified observations.
Read the scale before the values. Each marked interval represents 5.
Read the scale before the values. Read the value for Mon.
30
Mon represents 30.
Read the scale before the values. The answer is 30.
Read the scale before the values. Check the result against the question we started with.
The scale reading for Mon is 30.
We found 30. A line graph records values in order; a change is a difference between specified observations.
Read the scale before the values.
Common mistakes to discuss
- Reading the slope as the value. A point’s value is read from the axis; the slope only shows how quickly it changed.
Check your understanding
- Read line graphs
- interpret recorded values and changes on a line graph
- check the answer against the original quantities and units
Explain your reasoning to an adult, then try a fresh question in the interactive lesson. A result from one attempt is not proof of lasting mastery.
Try this lesson →Related Primary 5 Foundation lessons
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- Complete tables from given dataComplete tables from given data · About 12 minutes