Graph

We will talk about two dimensional graphs using Cartesian Coordinates.

If someone says, “graph velocity as a function of time:

• Velocity goes on the vertical axis
• Time goes on the horizontal axis

Alternately, they may say, “Graph Velocity versus Time”, and again, velocity is on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis.

To make conversations easier, we often call the horizontal axis, the x-axis and we call the vertical axis the y-axis.

We can use a piece of graph paper to make a graph. Pick an intersection of lines and put a small circle around it. Label it (0,0). We will call this the origin.

• Draw a vertical line through it for the y-axis.
• Draw a horizontal line through it fir the x-axis.

For the point (2,1) start at the origin and go over to the right 2 lines and then go up 1 line.

Repeat this process of going over to the right for the first number and going up for the second number, several times, and do it for the following points:

• (4,2)
• (6,3)
• (8,4)

Appendix A

Extra credit is available for showing me graphs other than the type discussed above. There are quite a few out there and I’ll give you a hint, the adjective “polar” covers more than just those bears in the Arctic Circle who drink Coca-Cola.

Appendix Z

Time is almost always on the horizontal axis. You will get paid $10, if you can find a book or magazine that shows time being graphed as a function of something else.