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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Video

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.