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How do you draw a linear graph from a table?

Published in Graphing 3 mins read

Drawing a linear graph from a table involves plotting the data points from the table on a coordinate plane and then connecting those points with a straight line. Here's a step-by-step guide:

  1. Understand the Table: The table will provide you with pairs of x and y values (coordinates). Each row in the table represents a point on the graph.

  2. Set up the Coordinate Plane: Draw a horizontal x-axis and a vertical y-axis. Determine the appropriate scale for each axis based on the range of values in your table. Ensure your scale allows you to plot all points comfortably.

  3. Plot the Points: For each row in the table (each x, y pair), locate the x-value on the x-axis and the y-value on the y-axis. Mark the point where these two values intersect. This is called plotting the point. For example, if your table has the point (1, 2), you would move 1 unit along the x-axis and 2 units up along the y-axis and place a dot. If your table has the point (3,6), you would move 3 units along the x-axis and 6 units up along the y-axis and place a dot.

  4. Draw the Line: Once you have plotted all the points from the table, use a ruler or straightedge to draw a straight line that passes through all the points. If the relationship is truly linear, all points should lie perfectly on the line.

  5. Extend the Line (Optional): You can extend the line beyond the plotted points to show the trend of the linear relationship further.

Example:

Let's say you have the following table:

x y
0 0
1 2
3 6
  1. Setup: Draw your x and y axes. Let each unit on the x-axis represent 1, and each unit on the y-axis represent 1.
  2. Plot:
    • Plot the point (0, 0): This is the origin (where the x and y axes intersect).
    • Plot the point (1, 2): Move 1 unit right on the x-axis and 2 units up on the y-axis.
    • Plot the point (3, 6): Move 3 units right on the x-axis and 6 units up on the y-axis.
  3. Draw: Use a ruler to draw a straight line that passes through all three points.

By following these steps, you can accurately represent a linear relationship from a table as a graph.

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