Graph

Pronunciation: /græf/ ?

A graph is a visual representation of an algebraic relationship.

Figure 1: Graph of the line y = 2x-1

When we draw a graph, we are drawing a representation of a relationship such as y = 2x - 1. A graph can help us understand and interpret an algebraic relationship.

Types of Graphs

Number Lines

A number line is a one dimensional graph. Examples of number lines include:

Example	Description
	Number line showing A=5.
	Number line showing B≤-3.
	Number line showing -5 ≤ C < 2.5.
	Number line showing D < 0 or D ≥ 3.
Table 1: Examples of number lines.

Graphs Using Cartesian Coordinates in 2 Dimensions

Figure 1: Graph of y = x2-4.

When graphing a relationship between two variables, one usually uses a 2-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.

References

1. graph. http://wordnet.princeton.edu/. WordNet. Princeton University. (Accessed: 2011-01-08). http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=graph&sub=Search+WordNet&o2=&o0=1&o7=&o5=&o1=1&o6=&o4=&o3=&h=.
2. Graph. ams.org. Geometry Glossary. American Mathematical Society. (Accessed: 2010-02-05). http://www.ams.org/featurecolumn/archive/geometry-glossary.html.
3. Hall, H. A.. A Short Introduction To Graphical Algebra, 4th ed.. Macmillan and Company, Ltd., 1907. (Accessed: 2010-02-08). http://www.archive.org/stream/shortintroductio029519mbp#page/n4/mode/1up.
4. Bettinger, Alvin K., Englund, John A.. Algebra and Trigonometry, pp 146-172. International Textbook Company, January 1963. (Accessed: 2010-02-08). http://www.archive.org/stream/algebraandtrigon033520mbp#page/n163/mode/1up.

Educator Resources

• Microgravity (Uses graphs to help understand microgravity). NASA Connect. NASA LaRC Office of Education. 2010-02-18. http://www.archive.org/details/NasaConnect-Watmtg-Microgravity.
• Crash - Graphs and NASA Langley. NASA Connect. NASA LaRC Office of Education. 2010-02-18. http://www.archive.org/details/NasaConnect-Crash-GraphsAndNasaLangley.

Printed Resources

Cite this article as:

Graph. 2010-02-08. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem.org. http://www.allmathwords.org/en/g/graph.html.

Translations

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Image Credits

• All images and manipulatives are by David McAdams unless otherwise stated. All images by David McAdams are Copyright © Life is a Story Problem.org and are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License.

Revision History

2010-02-08: Added "References" (McAdams, David.)
2008-08-04: Added types of graphs (McAdams, David.)
2008-02-18: Added caption to graph (McAdams, David.)
2007-08-19: Initial version (McAdams, David.)