Back to Describe qualitatively the functional relationship between two quantities by analyzing a graph — Problem 2 · Task Set 52

8.F.B.5 Tutor Intake -- Qualitative Graph Analysis

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Grade 8·6 problems·~7 min·Common Core Math - Grade 8·container·8-f-b-5

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Concepts

Two distance-time graphs both show a car's distance increasing
from 0 to 50 miles over 10 minutes. Graph A is a straight line
the whole time. Graph B starts nearly flat and curves more and
more steeply upward. What does the shape difference tell you
about each car's speed?

Graph A shows constant speed (covers the same distance each minute); Graph B shows increasing speed (the car is speeding up).

Both graphs show the same speed pattern, since both end at 50 miles after 10 minutes.

Graph A shows the car speeding up; Graph B shows constant speed.

The shape of a distance-time graph has no connection to speed.