How Can We Understand Trends from Graphs in Year 8 Math?

Understanding graphs can be easy if you follow these simple steps:

• Check the Axes: Start by looking at the $x$-axis and $y$-axis. The $x$-axis shows the independent variable, while the $y$-axis shows the dependent variable. This will help you see what the graph is all about.

• Look at the Shape: Notice how the graph behaves. Is it going up, going down, or staying flat? For example, a line like $y = 2x + 3$ keeps going up evenly.

• Find Intercepts: See where the graph crosses the axes. The $y$-intercept tells you the starting point, and the $x$-intercept shows where the graph hits zero.

• Figure Out the Slope: For straight lines, you can find the slope (how steep the line is) using this formula:

  $m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$

  This means you subtract the $y$ values and the $x$ values to get the slope.

• Look at the Areas: The space under the graph can tell you totals. This is especially important for shapes like $y = x^2$ when calculating areas.

By using these steps, you can easily understand graphs and see what they are telling you!