Name:
Block:
Date:
How to Graph
Step 1: Identify independent and dependent variable.
Step 2: Create scale of graph, starting each axis from 0. Follow the method Mr. Vo has taught,
or your own method that you find easier. You do not have to use Mr. Vo’s scaling method.
Step 3: Label graph, including scale, labeling axes, and adding a title.
Step 4: Plot points on the graph. Make sure to create dots large enough to see.
Step 5: Draw the best fit line using a ruler. Your line should connect the first and last points, be
in the middle of all the other points, and be drawn all the way until it touches the y-axis.
Step 6: Choose two points from the LINE OF BEST FIT, NOT the table of values. Write the
coordinates for each points on the graph.
Step 7: Calculate the slope of the graph using the “rise over run” method OR the
𝑦2 −𝑦1
𝑥2 −𝑥1
Step 8: Convert your slope into DECIMAL FORM, double check your units for your slope, your sig
figs for your slope, and box your final answer for your slope.
EXAMPLE
Time (s)
0
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
Temperature (℃)
0
10.3
20.5
30.4
45.6
57.4
60.0
71.2
85.6
Step 1:
Independent variable: Time (s)
Dependent variable: Temperature (℃)
Mr. Vo
1
Step 2: Mr. Vo’s Scaling Method (Sig figs do not matter during this method)
-
Count number of divisions on the graph -> 21
Calculate range of values: Highest value – Lowest value
o For x: 8 – 0 = 8
o For y: 90 – 0 = 90 (85.6 rounded to 90 because it is easier to work with whole
numbers)
-
Calculate value of each division on the graph using this formula: 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠
𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠
8
o For x: 21 = 0.38 (two decimal places is good enough)
90
o For y: 21 = 4.29
-
-
Round those values up to nearest .5
o For x: 0.38 -> 0.5
o For y: 4.29 -> 4.5
This means that each division along the x axis is 0.5, and each division along the y axis is
4.5.
Step 3:
Mr. Vo
2
Step 4:
Step 5:
Mr. Vo
3
Step 6-8:
Your Turn:
Time
(s)
0
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
30.00
35.00
40.00
Position
(m)
0
11.0
22.4
30.5
43.3
49.8
66.0
72.1
88.9
Independent Variable:
Dependent Variable:
Mr. Vo
4
Step 2: Mr. Vo’s Scaling Method (Sig figs do not matter during this method)
-
Count number of divisions on the graph ->
Calculate range of values: Highest value – Lowest value
o For x: 8 – 0 = 8
o For y: 90 – 0 = 90 (85.6 rounded to 90 because it is easier to work with whole
numbers)
-
Calculate value of each division on the graph using this formula: 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠
𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠
8
o For x: 21 = 0.38 (two decimal places is good enough)
90
o For y: 21 = 4.29
-
-
Mr. Vo
Round those values up to nearest .5
o For x: 0.38 -> 0.5
o For y: 4.29 -> 4.5
This means that each division along the x axis is 0.5, and each division along the y axis is
4.5.
5