ACT Preparation / Unit 19 ACT 1807 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Reading a Value From a Graph
The idea
A value is read from a graph in three steps. First, find the input on the horizontal axis, checking its units and scale. Second, go straight up to the correct line, identified from the legend. Third, go straight across to the vertical axis and read the value, estimating between gridlines when needed.
In practice
Worked example: an invented graph shows the speed of a cart rolling down a ramp, in centimeters per second, against time in seconds, with the vertical axis marked every 20. At 3 seconds, the line meets the grid halfway between 40 and 60, so the speed is about 50 centimeters per second. A second line, for a steeper ramp, reaches 80 at the same time.
Where people slip
Check the scale's step before estimating. Gridlines every 20, not every 10, double the size of each square.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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