ACT Science Flashcards: Evaluating Trends And Making Predictions

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Evaluating Trends And Making Predictions, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for ACT Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: A table shows $(x,y)$: $(1,4)$ and $(3,12)$. Predict $y$ at $x=2$ assuming linearity.

Answer: $y=8$. Slope is $4$, so $y = 4 + 4(1) = 8$.

Flashcard 2: Predict the next value: A trend shows doubling each time, current value $3$.

Answer: $6$. Doubling pattern: $3 × 2 = 6$.

Flashcard 3: What is an outlier in the context of data trends?

Answer: A data point that deviates significantly. A value that differs greatly from the general pattern.

Flashcard 4: What is the purpose of a trend line in data analysis?

Answer: To show the general direction of data. Summarizes overall data movement for easy interpretation.

Flashcard 5: Identify the trend in data with a constant rate of change.

Answer: Linear trend. Data changes by the same amount in each time period.

Flashcard 6: What does a scatter plot with no discernible pattern suggest?

Answer: No trend. Data points show no clear relationship or direction.

Flashcard 7: Identify the prediction: a dataset has a strong correlation.

Answer: Predictions are likely to be accurate. Strong correlations enable reliable future value estimates.

Flashcard 8: Find the prediction: current trend shows a 5% increase yearly.

Answer: Future values increase by 5% each year. Extends the current growth rate into future periods.

Flashcard 9: State the formula for calculating the slope of a trend line.

Answer: Slope = $\frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$. Calculates the rate of change between two points on a line.

Flashcard 10: Identify the type of trend: data increases steadily.

Answer: Positive trend. Values consistently rise over time, showing upward movement.

Flashcard 11: Which trend is shown by data decreasing steadily?

Answer: Negative trend. Values consistently fall over time, showing downward movement.

Flashcard 12: Identify the type of trend: data follows a repeating pattern.

Answer: Cyclical trend. Data repeatedly rises and falls in predictable intervals.

Flashcard 13: What does a flat trend line indicate about data?

Answer: No significant change over time. Data remains constant without rising or falling.

Flashcard 14: Identify the trend: Sales increase from 100 units to 500 units over 5 months.

Answer: Increasing trend. Sales rise consistently from $100$ to $500$ units.

Flashcard 15: What type of graph is best for showing trends over time?

Answer: Line graph. Shows changes over time with connected points.

Flashcard 16: What is the term for a pattern or direction in data over time?

Answer: Trend. A pattern shows consistent direction in data over time.

Flashcard 17: Which method estimates a value within a series based on surrounding data points?

Answer: Interpolation. Estimates values between known data points.

Flashcard 18: Determine the prediction: Temperature rises from 20°C to 30°C in 3 days. Day 4?

Answer: Likely 31°C or higher. Trend shows $10°C$ increase over $3$ days.

Flashcard 19: What is the term for predicting future values based on current trends?

Answer: Extrapolation. Extends a trend beyond known data points.

Flashcard 20: What type of variable is typically plotted on the x-axis when evaluating trends?

Answer: Independent variable. The variable that causes changes in the trend.

Flashcard 21: Choose the correct prediction: Data shows a consistent 5% monthly growth.

Answer: Next month: 5% increase. Consistent pattern continues into next period.

Flashcard 22: What type of relationship is indicated by a positive slope in a trend line?

Answer: Positive correlation. Both variables increase together in same direction.

Flashcard 23: Predict the outcome: A trend line shows consistent decline in scores.

Answer: Scores will continue to decrease. Downward trend indicates continued decline.

Flashcard 24: What does a negative slope in a trend line typically indicate?

Answer: Negative correlation. One variable decreases as the other increases.

Flashcard 25: Predict: If a trend shows decreasing values, what is next if current is $50$?

Answer: Lower than $50$. Downward trend means values will continue falling.

Flashcard 26: What is the conclusion when a trend line flattens after a period of increase?

Answer: Stabilization. Growth levels off and becomes constant.

Flashcard 27: Identify the trend: Data points cluster tightly around a positive slope line.

Answer: Strong positive trend. Close clustering shows strong linear relationship.

Flashcard 28: What does it mean when data points are widely scattered in a scatter plot?

Answer: Weak correlation. Scattered points show little linear relationship.

Flashcard 29: Predict the next value: Trend shows values increasing by $2$ each time, current $10$.

Answer: $12$. Adding $2$ to current value: $10 + 2 = 12$.

Flashcard 30: Identify the trend: A trend line in a graph is steeply rising.

Answer: Rapid increase. Steep slope indicates fast rate of change.