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Two Methods:The LineThe Potato

Drawing lines on a graph paper can be difficult and when it comes time to drawing a line of best fit in math, this concept will seem strange. This article will explain to you how you can draw this mathematical line for your graph.

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EditMethod 1 of 2: The Line

  1. 1
    Make the graph: Dot the coordinates onto the graph according to your data. Now we can start with the fun part!
  2. 2
    Sum it up: Look at the graph and try to sum up which way the group of dots are heading. Positive?  Negative? or Neutral?.
  3. 3
    The line: Get a straight edge (ruler). Experiment with the straight edge which line would touch the most amount of dots (the more dots, the more accurate it is).
  4. 4
    Drawing the line: When you have found the line that crosses the most amount of dots, you're set! Now you can actually draw the line.
  5. 5
    Look at the line from left to right, like reading a word.
  6. 6
    If your line is heading up - meaning if the right side of the line is "taller" than the left side, your line is positive.
    • If your line is going down - left side of the line is "taller" than the right side, your line is negative
    • If you could not find a definite line then that means your graph is neutral - the graph would look like the dots are scattered everywhere with no distinct areas of large amounts of points.

EditMethod 2 of 2: The Potato

  1. 1
    The Graph: Start out with a graph with all the coordinates on it.
  2. 2
    Estimate: Judge the group of dots to get a guess if it is Positive, Negative, or Neutral.
  3. 3
    All you have to do for this one is draw a circle by hand around the group of dots. That's it.
  4. 4
    Up, Down, Neither?: Once the circle is drawn (the potato) you can judge if the line is positive, negative, or neutral (up, down, or neither).
    • If the graph is neutral, it will usually look like a regular circle
    • if the graph is positive, it will look like an oval going UP
    • if the graph is negative, it will look like an oval going- yup you guessed it- DOWN

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EditTips

  • Sometimes it is better to draw the "Line of Best Fit" or the "Potato/ Circle of Best Fit" in a different color than you coordinate dots on the graph. It helps with understanding the graph.

EditWarnings

  • The potato method may not yield precise results.

Article Info

Categories: Stub | Drawing | In progress articles removed from NAB

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