Making a line graph
• The dependent variable goes on the y axis
– Vertical
– Things that change as a result of the experiment
• The independent variable goes on the x axis
– Horizontal
– Constants during experiment, almost always time
• Always label the axes and include units
• Title your graph, be very specific
– What is the dependent variable?
– What is the independent variable?
– Does the price per bushel always increase with demand?
Day
0
Food Consumed (g)
0.0
1
1.0
2
3.2
3
6.5
4
10.6
5
15.4
Baby chickens, like all baby birds, require a constant source of food. As
chicks grow, more energy is required and their food requirements
increase. The data table reports the average food eaten by a group of 10
chickens over a 5-day period.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Make a line graph of the data.
Identify the independent variable:
Identify the dependent variables:
How much grain will the chicks eat on day 6?
Water
Temp in
oC
Number of
developing
clams
15
75
20
90
25
120
30
140
35
75
40
40
45
15
50
0
A clam farmer has been keeping records concerning the
water temperature and the number of clams developing
from fertilized eggs.
1. Make a line graph of the data.
2. What is the dependent variable?
3. What is the independent variable?
4. What would you guess the water temperature was if
you had 50 clams?
Gibberellic
Acid
(mL)
Plant Height
at
The data below summarizes the results of a scientific experiment on the effects of a
1 Week
growth hormone (gibberellic acid) on plant height.
(cm)
20
30
18.5
20.7
40
45.2
50
60
62.3
10.6
1.
2.
3.
4.
Make a line graph of the data.
Identify the independent variable:
Identify the dependent variable:
Estimate the plant height at 25 mL gibberellic acid?=.