Use knowledge of positive and negative numbers to interpret graphs | Maths

Starter quiz

Match the keyword with the definition.
- axes
  
  ⇔
  
  the plural of axis ✓
- x axis
  
  ⇔
  
  the horizontal line on a coordinate grid or graph ✓
- y axis
  
  ⇔
  
  the vertical line on a coordinate grid or graph ✓
A number line showing positive and negative values has marked intervals going up and down in twos. Which of the following numbers would appear as a marked interval?
- 46 ✓
- 4.2
- 0 ✓
- −58 ✓
- −65
A number line showing positive and negative values has marked intervals going up and down in fives. Which of the following numbers would not appear in between the marked intervals?
- 75
- 5.5 ✓
- −100
- −65
- −82 ✓
Fill in the gap: 20, 15, 10, 5, 0, ______, −10
- '-5' ✓
Tick all of the statements that are true of this graph.
- It is a bar graph. ✓
- It is a line graph.
- It has marked intervals. ✓
- It has unmarked intervals.
- The x axis shows the length of the objects.
What is the difference between the length of the pencil and the length of the book? ______cm
- '15' ✓

Exit quiz

The graph shows the average monthly temperature in the first three months of the year in ℃. What is the temperature in January? ______℃
- '-5' ✓
What is the difference between the temperature in January and the temperature in February? ______℃
- '3' ✓
This graph shows the minimum temperatures in degrees Celsius on different days of the week. What is the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures? ______℃
- '7' ✓
Tick all the statements that are true.
- The temperature on Tuesday was 0℃ ✓
- There is a 7℃ difference between the temperatures on Monday and Thursday.
- The temperature decreases every day.
- Thursday is warmer than Wednesday. ✓
- There is a 1℃ difference between the temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday. ✓
In a line graph showing temperatures, what would the different orientations of the line mean? Match the type of line with the description of what it shows.
- Line going upwards
  
  ⇔
  
  Temperature increases ✓
- Horizontal line
  
  ⇔
  
  Temperature remains the same ✓
- Line pointing downwards
  
  ⇔
  
  Temperature decreases ✓
This graph shows the changes in temperature over several days in ℃. Tick all the statements that are true.
- The temperatures are always negative.
- There is no change in the temperature between Sunday and Monday. ✓
- There is a decrease in the temperature between Friday and Saturday.
- There is 5℃ difference between the highest and lowest temperatures.
- There is 7℃ difference between the temperatures on Saturday and Sunday. ✓

Worksheet

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Presentation

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Negative data values can be recorded by extending the axes beyond zero

Common misconception

Inaccuracy when reading horizontally from the top of a bar to the y axis on a bar chart.

Model and encourage the use of rulers to follow a straight horizontal line from the top of a bar to the y axis.

Keywords

Axis / axes - The x and y lines that cross at right angles to make a graph or grid.