Sketching Informal Graphs

An informal graph tells a story with its shape rather than exact numbers: a section going up, staying flat or coming down shows how something changes over time. In NSW Year 8 maths these sketches build the reading skills behind distance–time graphs (NESA outcome MA4‑RAT‑C‑01).

You will match stories such as a bike ride, a bath or a Ferris wheel to the right sketch, explain what each section means, and read changes and rates from graphs of a burning candle, a cooling drink or a leaking tank. You will also decide how fast water rises in containers of different shapes, where the level rises faster in a narrow part, and see how a curved graph shows a change that speeds up or slows down. It is part of Year 8 Time and Travel.