Make a Graph of Distance vs. Time

A big final is coming up. You were dozing off in class and just found out that you have to make a Distance vs Time graph, which you didn't bother to learn in class! Well you're in luck! Grab a pencil and paper and follow my lead!

Steps

  1. Have data ready to plot as points on a graph. If you haven't already done so, create a table/chart in which one column is the time and one column is the distance. Fill in the time paired with the distance traveled (the data may be presented to you in paragraph form, in a list or in a table included in the question).
  2. Draw two perpendicular lines that intersect on the graph paper, leaving a margin of three or four boxes between the axes and the edges of the paper. Draw arrows at the ends of the lines. Note that the x axis is the horizontal line and the y axis is the vertical line.

    Axis [ak-sis], (plural ax·es [ak-seez]) -- one of two (or three) reference lines used in the coordinate system to locate a point (x,y) in a plane (or in space using a third axes, z, plotting (x,y,z) points).
  3. Label the axes. x is normally independent but y depends on x. Time will be graphed on the x-axis, because time does not depend on distance (distance is dependent), because the "distance covered does depend on the time" -- how long you spend traveling at a certain rate -- which will be measured on the y-axis. Label the x-axis "Time" (t), and write the units (usually seconds, or s) in parentheses under "Time". Make the y-axis, using "Distance" (d) and the unit of distance often meters, m, or kilometers (km) or miles, etc.).
  4. Begin plotting (graphing points) based on your (time, distance) data pairs (t,d) = (x,y); remember we are substituting t for x, and d for y. Continue using your data and graphing the points until you've finished with all your data; for example (2,5) means place a point/small dot using x = t = 2 and y = d = 5.

    How? Look across the x-axis for +2, then go straight up +5 units, place your dot there. That is the (x,y) point for (t,d) = (2,5). Note: x is measured across and y is measured up and down.
  5. After all the points have been plotted, take a straight edge (preferably a ruler) and connect the dots from the lowest X axis measurement to the highest measurement.
  6. If there are more than two variables (there are two or more different sets of data being graphed) you will have to use two different colors or patterns to distinguish between them. And if there are two or more sets of data being graphed, a key is needed to clarify what each color/or pattern stands for.
  7. Remember a good graph contains the:
    • Title,
      • Include the data and object that is being studied -- e.g., "The Time/Distance Ratio of a Tennis Ball"
    • Labeled axes,
    • Numbered scale on each axis.
    • Key (if there are two or more data sets being graphed).
    • Caution: If data and graph are not linear (not in a straight line, i.e.: is nonlinear), then for example, the rate of change (velocity) is not constant, as in graphing data for an accelerating object. There are many nonlinear expressions including trigonometric ratios, second-order expressions (x2) and higher (x3 + x2 + 5, etc.), geometric rates or exponential functions, etc.
      • You would set up your two axes as before, but then the data that is plotted/graphed would not lie in a straight line.

Tips

  • Practice makes perfect! If you don't get it on your first try, don't fret. Practice with simple data until you can graph more complicated ones.
  • Distance is divided by time

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil/Pen
  • Paper
  • Data
  • Straight edge (ruler)
  • Different colors (comparing data sets)
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