ACT Science Flashcards: Interpreting Data From Graphs

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Interpreting Data From Graphs, 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: Find the median value in the dataset: 3, 5, 7, 8, 12.

Answer:

1. The middle value when data is arranged in order.

Flashcard 2: Determine the slope between points $(3, 4)$ and $(7, 8)$.

Answer:

1. $m = \frac{8-4}{7-3} = \frac{4}{4} = 1$

Flashcard 3: Identify the type of correlation: as $x$ increases, $y$ decreases.

Answer: Negative correlation. Variables move in opposite directions.

Flashcard 4: If two error bars overlap substantially, what is the safest conclusion about a difference?

Answer: The difference may not be significant. Overlapping error bars suggest statistically similar values.

Flashcard 5: Identify the axis typically representing the dependent variable.

Answer: Y-axis. Vertical axis shows the variable being measured or observed.

Flashcard 6: Find the mean of the numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.

Answer:

1. Sum of values divided by count: $30 ÷ 5 = 6$.

Flashcard 7: What is the term for the midpoint of a box in a box plot?

Answer: Median. The line inside the box marks the middle value.

Flashcard 8: What does a downward trend in a line graph indicate?

Answer: Decrease in the dependent variable. The line slopes downward showing values are falling.

Flashcard 9: Identify the graph type that uses dots to show frequency distributions.

Answer: Dot plot. Each dot represents one data point at that value.

Flashcard 10: What is the function of a key in a graph?

Answer: To define symbols or colors used. Same function as a legend - explains visual elements.

Flashcard 11: What does the width of a box in a box plot represent?

Answer: Interquartile range. Shows the spread of the middle 50% of the data.

Flashcard 12: What type of graph uses vertical bars to show frequency distributions?

Answer: Histogram. Bars touch each other to show continuous data ranges.

Flashcard 13: What type of relationship is suggested by a flat line on a graph?

Answer: No relationship between variables. No change in y-value regardless of x-value changes.

Flashcard 14: Find the mode in a bar graph showing frequency of test scores.

Answer: Score with highest bar. The category with the highest frequency has the tallest bar.

Flashcard 15: Find the slope between $(2,5)$ and $(6,13)$.

Answer: $m=2$. $\frac{13-5}{6-2}=\frac{8}{4}=2$

Flashcard 16: What does a vertical line ($x$ constant) indicate about the independent variable across points?

Answer: $x$ is constant for all plotted points. Vertical lines show no variation in the independent variable.

Flashcard 17: Which option gives the correct units for slope if $y$ is in meters and $x$ is in seconds?

Answer: Meters per second ($\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}$). Slope units equal output units divided by input units.

Flashcard 18: Identify the $x$-intercept of the line $y=3x-12$.

Answer: $x=4$. Set $y=0$: $0=3x-12$, so $x=4$.

Flashcard 19: Identify the $y$-intercept of the line passing through $(0,-3)$ and $(2,1)$.

Answer: $-3$. The $y$-intercept is where the line crosses $y$-axis.

Flashcard 20: Find the average rate of change from $(1,10)$ to $(4,4)$.

Answer: $\frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x}=-2$. $\frac{4-10}{4-1}=\frac{-6}{3}=-2$

Flashcard 21: What does the interquartile range (IQR) on a box plot equal?

Answer: $\text{IQR}=Q_3-Q_1$. IQR measures spread between first and third quartiles.

Flashcard 22: What does the median on a box-and-whisker plot represent?

Answer: The $50$th percentile (middle value). Median divides ordered data into equal halves.

Flashcard 23: What does a histogram (not a bar chart) display?

Answer: Frequency across continuous bins. Histograms show distribution of continuous data in intervals.

Flashcard 24: What does a bar graph most directly compare?

Answer: Values across discrete categories. Bar graphs compare quantities between distinct groups.

Flashcard 25: What does it mean if two lines on the same graph intersect at a point?

Answer: They have equal $y$ at that $x$. Intersection points represent equal values at shared coordinates.

Flashcard 26: What does a plateau region on a graph indicate about the dependent variable?

Answer: It levels off (approximately constant). Plateaus show equilibrium or steady-state conditions.

Flashcard 27: Identify the term for a graph segment where the slope becomes steeper over time.

Answer: Increasing rate of change (accelerating). Steepening slopes indicate accelerating change rates.

Flashcard 28: On a velocity-versus-time graph, what does the area under the curve represent?

Answer: Displacement (change in position). Area under velocity curve equals total distance traveled.

Flashcard 29: On a velocity-versus-time graph, what does the slope represent?

Answer: Acceleration (rate of velocity change). Acceleration equals the rate of velocity change over time.

Flashcard 30: On a distance-versus-time graph, what does the slope represent?

Answer: Speed (rate of distance change). Velocity equals the rate of distance change over time.