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Course: Digital SAT Math > Unit 11
Lesson 5: Data representations: advancedData representations | Lesson
A guide to data representations on the digital SAT
What are data representations problems?
Data representations problems ask us to interpret data representations or create data representations based on given information.
Aside from tables, the two most common data representation types on the SAT are bar graphs and line graphs.
In this lesson, we'll learn to:
- Read types of graphs that commonly appear on the SAT
- Create line graphs based on verbal descriptions
You can learn anything. Let's do this!
How do I read bar graphs, dot plots, and histograms?
Note: Bar graphs appear more frequently than dot plots and histograms do on the SAT.
Reading bar graphs
What are bar graphs, dot plots, and histograms?
Bar graphs
On a bar graph, the sizes of the bars are related to the size of the quantities: the larger a quantity is, the taller or longer the bar representing it is.
Dot plots
Dot plots use dots to represent the frequency with which particular values occur. Dot plots are usually used for low, easily countable frequencies because it's impractical to draw or count many dots.
Histograms
Histograms use bars to represent the frequency at which a range of values occurs. Histograms are useful because it's often impractical to list every possible value independently.
Try it!
How do I read line graphs?
Reading line graphs
What are line graphs?
Line graphs usually show how quantities change over time.
The SAT will most often ask us to do the following:
- Identify values on the graph and use them in calculations
- Determine whether the graph is increasing or decreasing. We may be asked about a specific interval or the whole graph.
- Determine when the rate of change is the highest/lowest. Higher rates of change correspond to steeper sections of the graph, and lower rates of change correspond to shallower sections of the graph.
Try it!
How do I draw line graphs based on verbal descriptions?
Translating a sequence of events to a line graph
On the SAT, in addition to reading line graphs, we may be asked to select a line graph that represents a given scenario.
These questions tend to be about the correct order of events and the general direction of change. The axes of the graphs are often presented without exact values.
What are some key phrases to look out for?
The table below lists some common key phrases in line graph translation problems and how to interpret them.
Phrase | Shape of graph |
---|---|
"Increases", "rises", "grows" | Upward trend |
"Decreases", "drops", "declines" | Downward trend |
"Remains constant", "stops", "stays the same" | Flat trend |
"Slowly", "gradually" | Shallow slope |
"Rapidly", "quickly" | Steep slope |
Let's look at an example!
Francisco drives from home to a drive-in movie theater. He parks his car to watch a movie, then drives straight home. Draw a graph that represents Francisco's distance from home as time elapses.
Try it!
Your turn!
Want to join the conversation?
- Hello! Just wondering, will we be given a sheet of paper for our rough-work during the Math section of the Digital SAT? Or will there be a digital pen on the screen (Like in the exercises on khan academy)?(47 votes)
- Yes, Sheet of paper will be used.(37 votes)
- How many lessons do u all do per day?(24 votes)
- i do 3! sometimes 2 if the topic tough. just practise a lot, understand concepts, then it wont be intimidating. good luck!(50 votes)
- We got this guys(29 votes)
- this lesson was actually the first easy one I had in Unit 3.(26 votes)
- will you be able to use your own calculator on test day or must it be the one provided on bluebook?(5 votes)
- You can use any of the two. Better use the one you are familiar with.
If bringing you own, read the guidelines for the calculator that are allowed on collegeboard's website.(10 votes)
- the easiest lesson since unit 3! THANKS YOU 💏(6 votes)
- I too feel the same(1 vote)
- Is it enough to just prepare until medium level?(4 votes)
- I think its best to practice until medium level only if you're stressed and can't keep up with the topic at that time. If that's the case, you can practice until medium level and then come back to it in a few days, it'd be much easier after your brain has gotten a bit used to it. However, don't leave it at medium level and always try to come back and attain Proficiency.(3 votes)
- Very good platform to learn SAT(4 votes)
- Only 6 days left! Should have started earlier.... .Any tips??(4 votes)
- my aim is 1500+, do I need any material outside Khan Academy?(2 votes)
- You will. I've noticed that the practice questions here are not as difficult as they are on other SAT practice sites(2 votes)