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8th grade Read a graph as a story: rising, falling, steady worksheet

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Read a graph as a story: rising, falling, steady

Grade 8 Math Worksheet

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

  1. Ari watches a tank drain. The graph shows liters left against minutes. What are the rate of change and the initial value, and what does each mean?

    • The rate is −5 liters each minute, so the tank loses 5 liters a minute; it started with 44 liters.
    • The rate is −5 liters each minute, so the tank loses 5 liters a minute; it started with 34 liters.
    • The rate is 5 liters each minute, so the tank gains 5 liters a minute; it started with 44 liters.
    • The rate is 44 liters each minute, so the tank loses 44 liters a minute; it started with 5 liters.
  2. Bo measures a growing plant. The graph shows centimeters tall against days. What are the rate of change and the initial value, and what does each mean?

    • The rate is −4 centimeters each day, so the plant shrinks 4 centimeters a day; it started 7 centimeters tall.
    • The rate is 4 centimeters each day, so the plant grows 4 centimeters a day; it started 19 centimeters tall.
    • The rate is 7 centimeters each day, so the plant grows 7 centimeters a day; it started 4 centimeters tall.
    • The rate is 4 centimeters each day, so the plant grows 4 centimeters a day; it started 7 centimeters tall.
  3. Esme tracks a candle getting shorter. The graph shows millimeters tall against minutes. What are the rate of change and the initial value, and what does each mean?

    • The rate is 2 millimeters each minute, so the candle grows 2 millimeters a minute; it started 30 millimeters tall.
    • The rate is −2 millimeters each minute, so the candle shrinks 2 millimeters a minute; it started 30 millimeters tall.
    • The rate is 30 millimeters each minute, so the candle shrinks 30 millimeters a minute; it started 2 millimeters tall.
    • The rate is −2 millimeters each minute, so the candle shrinks 2 millimeters a minute; it started 26 millimeters tall.
  4. Jun tracks a savings jar. The graph shows dollars saved against weeks. What are the rate of change and the initial value, and what does each mean?

    • The rate is −3 dollars each week, so savings shrink 3 dollars a week; it started with 10 dollars.
    • The rate is 3 dollars each week, so savings grow 3 dollars a week; it started with 10 dollars.
    • The rate is 22 dollars each week, so savings grow 22 dollars a week; it started with 3 dollars.
    • The rate is 3 dollars each week, so savings grow 3 dollars a week; it started with 22 dollars.
  5. Kira studies a graph of bean plant height against time. Is the function linear, and why?

    • Not linear: the graph has corners where the pieces meet.
    • Not linear: it does not pass through the point (0, 0).
    • Linear: each piece rises 3 for each 1 across, so the corners sit on one line.
    • Not linear: the pieces have different lengths, so the rate changes.
  6. Luz studies a graph of distance biked against time. Is the function linear, and why?

    • Not linear: the rate is 2 from A to B, 4 from B to C and 8 from C to D.
    • Linear: the first and last corners fit a line with rate 4.
    • Linear: it starts at the origin, so it is a straight line.
    • Linear: the graph rises from left to right.
  7. Milo studies a graph of savings in a jar against time. Is the function linear, and why?

    • Linear: each piece rises 2 for each 1 across, so the corners sit on one line.
    • Not linear: the piece from C to D is longer than the piece from A to B.
    • Not linear: the line bends at B and at C.
    • Not linear: it starts at 9, not at 0.
  8. Pia compares two kites. A's graph is shown. B's table (x | y) is 1 | 9, 3 | 15, 5 | 21. Which statement is right about rates and initial values?

    • B has both the greater rate, 6 against 4, and the greater initial value, 6 against 1.
    • A has both the greater rate, 4 against 3, and the greater initial value, because its first value, 13, is more than 9.
    • A has the greater rate of change, 4 against 3, but B has the greater initial value, 6 against 1.
    • B has the greater rate, 6 against 1, but A has the greater initial value, 4 against 3.
  9. Ren compares two plants. B's graph is shown. A's table (x | y) is 1 | 15, 3 | 21, 5 | 27. Which statement is right about rates and initial values?

    • B has both the greater rate, 5 against 3, and the greater initial value, because its first value, 17, is more than 15.
    • B has the greater rate of change, 5 against 3, but A has the greater initial value, 12 against 7.
    • A has both the greater rate, 6 against 5, and the greater initial value, 12 against 7.
    • A has the greater rate, 12 against 7, but B has the greater initial value, 5 against 3.
  10. Tala compares two savings jars. A's graph is shown. B's table (x | y) is 2 | 14, 5 | 20, 8 | 26. Which statement is right about rates and initial values?

    • B has both the greater rate, 6 against 4, and the greater initial value, 10 against 5.
    • B has the greater rate, 10 against 5, but A has the greater initial value, 4 against 2.
    • A has the greater rate of change, 4 against 2, but B has the greater initial value, 10 against 5.
    • A has both the greater rate, 4 against 2, and the greater initial value, because its first value, 17, is more than 14.
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8th grade Read a graph as a story: rising, falling, steady worksheet – printable
Print: 123456

About this worksheet

Read a graph as a story: rising, falling, steady. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

  • I can find the rate of change and the initial value from a graph or a story, and say what each means.
  • I can tell whether a function is linear from its graph, and compare two functions given as a graph, a table or an equation.
  • I can describe a graph in phases: where it increases, decreases or stays constant, and the rate in each.

Standard: 8.F.B.5

Words to know

rate of change: How much the amount changes for each 1 unit of time.

increasing / decreasing: The amount goes up / down as time goes on (left to right).

constant: The amount stays the same: a flat piece.

corner: A point where the graph changes direction or steepness.

average rate: Total change in the amount ÷ total time, flat pieces included.

Common mistakes

Your child gave the change in the amount, not the rate. A rate is the change for each 1 unit of time, so divide by the time taken.

Your child gave the time the piece lasts. The rate is how much the amount changes for each unit of that time.

Your child picked the piece that lasts longest. The fastest piece changes the most for each 1 unit of time, however long it lasts.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with read a graph as a story: rising, falling, steady?

Your child gave the change in the amount, not the rate. A rate is the change for each 1 unit of time, so divide by the time taken.

Are these 8th grade math worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.

More grade 8 math

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