© Nuffield Foundation 2012

Nuffield Free-Standing Mathematics Activity

Matching graphs and scenarios

Measurements from real-life situations give different shapes of graph.

Using the cards, match each scenario with its graph.

Measuring pulse rate

Conversion graph (miles against kilometres)

0 160

100

kilometres

miles

0 2

100

Graph showing 100 mile journey

(miles)

Time (hours)

Distance travelled

0 5

100

Graph showing amount of oil in tank

(litres)

Time (days)

Amount

Graph showing temperature of water

(C)

Time (minutes)

Temperature

0

20

100

60

0

– 20

30

Graph showing temperature of bread

(C)

Time(minutes)

Temperature

0 100

212

32

Conversion graph (F against C)

(F) Temperature

(C) Temperature

0

50

Graph showing vehicle travelling at a steady speed before an emergency stop

(mph)

Time (seconds)

Speed

0 5

50

Graph showing depth of water in bath

(cm)

Time (minutes)

Depth

0 10

50

Graph showing vehicle setting off from junction

(mph)

Time (seconds)

Speed

0 10

50

Graph showing growth of a plant

(cm)

Time (weeks)

Height

0

100

50

Graph showing heart rate in exercise

(beats/minute)

Time (minutes)

Heart rate

0

200

50

Graph showing amount of water in container

(ml)

Time (seconds)

Amount

When interpreting a graph, which key features are useful?

At the end of the activity

Describe a real situation that would give a linear graph.

Describe a real situation that would give a curved graph.

Describe a real situation that would give a graph with more than one section (straight or curved).