Line graph/Line Chart A line graph is a visual comparison of how two variablesshown on the x- and y-axes are related

or vary with each other. It shows related information by drawing a continuous line between all the points on a grid. Line graphs are more popular than all other graphs combined because their visual characteristics reveal data trends clearly and they are easy to create. Line graphs compare two variables: one is plotted along the x-axis (horizontal) and the other along the y-axis (vertical). The y-axis in a line graph usually indicates quantity (e.g., dollars, litres) or percentage, while the horizontal x-axis often measures units of time. As a result, the line graph is often viewed as a time series graph. For example, if you wanted to graph the increase of students enrolled in the university over time, you could measure the time variable along the x-axis, and the height along the y-axis. Although they do not present specific data as well as tables do, line graphs are able to show relationships more clearly than tables do. Line graphs can also depict multiple series and hence are usually the best candidate for time series data and frequency distribution. In summary, line graphs: -show specific values of data well -reveal trends and relationships between data -compare trends in different groups of a variable Graphs can give a distorted image of the data. If inconsistent scales on the axes of a line graph force data to appear in a certain way, then a graph can even reveal a trend that is entirely different from the one intended. This means that the intervals between adjacent points along the axis may be dissimilar, or that the same data charted in two graphs using different scales will appear different. Example 1 Plotting a trend over time Figure 1 shows one obvious trend, the fluctuation in the labour force from January to July. The number of students at Andrew's high school who are members of the labour force is scaled using intervals on the y-axis, while the time variable is plotted on the x-axis. The number of students participating in the labour force was 252 in January, 252 in February, 255 in March, 256 in April, 282 in May, 290 in June and 319 in July. When examined further, the graph indicates that the labour force participation of these students was at a plateau for the first four months covered by the graph (January to April), and for the next three months (May to July) the number increased steadily.

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Title The title of the line graph tells us what the graph is about. Label The horizontal label across the bottom and the vertical label along the side tells s us what kinds of facts are listed. Scale The horizontal scale across the bottom and the vertical scale along the side tell s us how much or how many. Point The points or dots on the graph show us the facts. s Lines The lines connecting the points give estimates of the values between the points. Advantages: - Can compare multiple continuous data sets easily. - They enable the viewer to make predictions about the results of data not yet recorded.

Disadvantages: - Used only with continuous data.