Line graphs provide a visual representation of the relationships between variables and how those relationships change. For example, you can create a line graph to show how an animal grows over a period of time, or how the average high temperature of a city varies from month to month. You can also graph more than one data in the same graph, as long as you use the same two variables. So, how to make a line graph? Follow these steps to find out.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Naming Graphics
Step 1. Draw two intersecting outlines in the center of your graph paper
This line represents 2 coordinates – vertical and horizontal coordinates. The vertical coordinate is the Y coordinate and the horizontal coordinate is the X coordinate. The point of intersection is called the starting point.
The area below the x line and to the left of the Y line represents negative numbers. If your data set has no negative numbers, you can omit that part of the graph
Step 2. Name each line with the variables used
To continue the temperature-time example from the introduction, the x line is named the months of the year, and the y line is named the temperature.
Step 3. Determine the range of data you want to enter for each variable
To continue with the temperature-time example, you would choose a range large enough for the highest and lowest temperatures to be graphed. If your range isn't too high, you can scale it up, zooming in on the graph so that your graph will be full and not just 10% filled.
Step 4. Determine how many units each line in the graph represents for your variable
You might be able to scale 10 degrees Fahrenheit (12.22 degrees Celsius) each line to measure temperature at the Y coordinate, and a month scale each line to measure time at the X coordinate.
Name some of the lines in each coordinate with their scale. You don't have to name all the lines, but you do have to write them the same distance apart for each coordinate
Part 2 of 2: Drawing Your Data
Step 1. Draw your data into a graph
For example: If the temperature in your city is 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.44 degrees Celsius) in January, find January at the X coordinate and 40 degrees at the Y coordinate. Find the point where the two intersect. Draw a point where the two intersect. Repeat this for all of your other data until you have drawn all the points on the graph.
Step 2. Connect the leftmost point with the point to the right of it with a straight line
Continue connecting all the dots, one by one, from left to right. Make sure that you connect the points with straight lines, so that the graph does not form a curve. After you connect all the dots, you have succeeded in drawing all the data.
Step 3. Repeat this process if you are describing multiple data sets
If you are drawing multiple data sets in a graph, use different colored pens, or line shapes, for the first data set. Place the color or line shape you're using outside the graphic and label the information. For example: High Temperature.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the next data set, using a different colored pen or a different line shape for each data set.
- Place the selected line color or shape outside the graphic and label it. For example, you use a red pen to depict high temperatures, then use a blue pen to depict low temperatures over equal time intervals on a graph. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each remaining data set that you want to graph.
Step 4. Write the title of the chart at the top of the page
For example: Average Monthly High and Low Temperatures in Seattle, 2009. You should do this after knowing the size of the space needed to draw all the graphs.
