Line Graphs
Show change over time.
Key idea
Show change over time.
In depth
A line graph connects points ordered by time or another continuous variable to show trends. The slope shows the rate of change. Do not use it for unordered categories.
Worked example
Monthly temperatures: points joined by lines show the seasonal rise and fall.
Real-world uses
- Tracking temperature across a day, a share price over a year or a child’s height over time
Common mistake
Joining points when values between measurements do not exist.
How to learn this
- Read the key idea and say it in your own words.
- Work through the worked example, then try a similar problem.
- Use the interactive lesson’s visual and mini-quiz to check the pattern.
Frequently asked questions
What is Line Graphs?
Show change over time. It is a topic at the beginner level in Probability & Statistics.
Where is Line Graphs used in real life?
Real-world examples: Tracking temperature across a day, a share price over a year or a child’s height over time.
What should I learn before Line Graphs?
Make sure you are comfortable with Pie Charts, the previous topic in Probability & Statistics.
What is a common mistake with Line Graphs?
Joining points when values between measurements do not exist.
How can I practise Line Graphs?
Open the interactive lesson, play with the visual, then answer the three-question mini-quiz. Getting two right marks the topic complete.
What comes after Line Graphs?
Move on to Histograms next.
Related beginner topics in Probability & Statistics
- Types of Data – Categorical vs numerical, discrete vs continuous.
- Frequency Tables – Count how often each value occurs.
- Tally Charts and Pictographs – Simple visual summaries of counts.
- Bar Graphs – Compare categories using bars.
- Pie Charts – Show parts of a whole as sectors.
- Mode – The most frequent value.