Line Graphs Concepts

Understanding the Concepts of Line Graphs

Line graphs provide a powerful tool for representing and analyzing data relationships over time. We plot the data point corresponding to the two variables on an XY cartesian plain.

Then, a straight line joins all the points plotted, revealing a pattern that shows the trend in data over a period of time. It is highly used in analyzing the performance of market, stocks, profits, losses, expenditures, and other business metrics.

To solve line graphs questions effectively, we are supposed to know a few concepts as most of the concepts around finding the sum, averages, percentages and ratios.

The following are the important line graphs concepts:

1. Speed Maths

Quicker calculation techniques are the key to solving any data interpretation question faster. A quick calculation can be mastered by working on 2 things:

1.1 Memory Based

There are a few things we need to know by heart to do the calculations faster, ex - Squares of numbers from 1 to 40, 20 x 20 multiplication table, etc.

For Example:

Squares of numbers from 1 to 40, 20 x 20 multiplication table, cubes of numbers from 1-12, powers of numbers from 2¹ to 2¹², etc.

1.2 Calculation Based Shortcuts

Few speed math techniques can be learned to the calculations faster.

For Example:

2 x 2 multiplication, finding squares of numbers, finding square roots quickly, etc.

2. Averages

There are few average based questions asked in most of the line graphs sets, solve this effectively by adding the numbers and dividing it and quick calculation of averages using approximation techniques will definitely help.

For Example:

If you're given a line graph showing sales of an article across 5 months, how much was the average sale in the first 3 months?

Here, you can take the sum of the sales number in the 3 months in question and divide it by 3 to get the answer.

3. Percentages

There are specific percentage based questions asked in most of the line graphs sets, like 'what percentage of A is B', 'A% of B,' or 'percentage change'. To solve this effectively we need to be very good at calculation part of the percentages.

For Example:

If you're given a line graph showing sales of an article across 5 months, how was the performance of sales in month 4 as compared to month 3?

Here, you can get the answer by finding out what percentage change in the sales of both the months.

4. Ratios

Some of the questions from the line graphs question sets are based in ratios. These can be easily solved using approximation techniques, divisibility test and basic foundational understanding of ratios. Percentage concepts will also be a great help in solving line graph question sets.

For Example:

If you're given a line graph showing sales of an article across 5 months, what is the ratio of the rise in sales in the first 2 months and last 2 months?

You can answer this question by finding the ratio of the percentage changes in sales for the first and last 2 months.