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Year 10
Higher

Interpreting time series graphs

I can interpret time series graphs, including commenting on trends.

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New
New
Year 10
Higher

Interpreting time series graphs

I can interpret time series graphs, including commenting on trends.

Download all resources
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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The graph can be used to estimate a frequency at a given time
  2. Time series graphs can help us spot underlying trends or systematic patterns
  3. These trends can be interpreted in context and the context may explain the pattern seen

Keywords

  • Time series graphs - Time series graphs show data over a time period. The time period is always shown on the x-axis. Data points are joined chronologically by line segments.

Common misconception

Pupils may place too much confidence in the accuracy of predictions based on extrapolating time series graphs into the future.

While extrapolating a time series graph provide an indication of what future results may be, predictions are not guaranteed. Context should also be considered in these cases (e.g. whether there is a natural limit to how high a variable may reach).

This lesson contains time series graphs based on real life data and gives some examples of observations that can be made from them. Pupils could analyse these graphs in more detail, attempt to make other observations and research any events in the news that may be related to their observations.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
A time series graph is used to show data over a period.
Correct Answer: time
Q2.
Izzy records how many birds appear in her garden over the course of a day. Here is her time-series graph. Izzy should label the vertical axis . (Do not include units in your answer).
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: Number of birds, Frequency
Q3.
A point on this axis has been labelled $$p$$. The value of $$p$$ is .
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 36, Thirty six, Thirty-six
Q4.
Jun plots a time series graph using time intervals that are regular and quarterly. The first month on his graph is January, the next quarter starts with the month of .
Correct Answer: April
Q5.
The time-series graph shows information about internet connection in Great Britain in households with 1 adult aged over 65. In 2018, approximately % of households have internet access.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 60, 59
Q6.
The time series graph to show the temperatures in Sheffield between 2012 and 2019. In how many quarters does the mean maximum temperature reach less than 10°C ? quarters.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 10, ten

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
A time series graph shows data over a time period. The time period is always shown on the axis.
Correct Answer: horizontal, $$x$$
Q2.
This time series graph is based on data from the ONS about the amount of money spent each week on retail in the UK. Which of these best describes the overall trend?
An image in a quiz
The retail value is slightly decreasing each year
The retail value is consistent each year.
Correct answer: The retail value is slightly increasing each year.
Q3.
This time series graph is based on data from the ONS about the amount of money spent each week on retail in the UK. Why is there an unusual dip in 2020?
An image in a quiz
Data will not always follow the same trend.
Correct answer: The pandemic started in 2020.
There was a financial crash in 2020.
Q4.
The time series below shows data from the ONS about the average annual income per person each year. What is the approximate mean income in the year 2000?
An image in a quiz
£20 000
£25 000
Correct answer: £30 000
£35 000
Q5.
The time series below shows data from the ONS about the average annual income per person each year. What is the approximate greatest difference between the mean and median incomes?
An image in a quiz
£5000
Correct answer: £10 000
£15 000
£30 000
£40 000
Q6.
The time series graph shows data on average houses prices over a number of years in the UK. In the year the average house prices rose above £200 000
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 2016, 2017