Graphing Basics

What

is a graph?

A diagram that shows the relationship between

two changing items called variables
What

is a grid?

The framework of the graph which is made up of

two lines called an axis

Vertical Axis or Y-Axis

Zer
o
Poin
t

Always draw
the grid
when doing a
graph
Horizontal Axis
or X-Axis

The Y-Axis and the X-Axis meet at the zero

point.

Two Variable Diagrams

Variables in a diagram or chart can be directly or inversely related
or independent of each other.
Directly related: two variables are directly related if they
change in the same way or move in the same direction;
slope will be positive
Ex. The more income you have the more products you
can consume
Inversely related: when two variable change in opposite
ways, negative slope
Independent variables: two variable are independent
when one variable changes and the other does not
Ex. Gas and price you may use the same amount of gas