Concept 2

Identify trends, maxima/minima, and relationships between variables.

Read overall direction, peaks, and lows before drawing a conclusion about the relationship.

Core Idea

Look for direction first, then the extreme point. A trend question asks how one variable changes as the other changes, not just what one point says.

Understanding

Trend questions reward pattern reading. Before choosing an answer, decide whether the data are increasing, decreasing, leveling off, or peaking.

  • Direction: does the measured variable rise, fall, or stay about the same as the other variable changes?
  • Extreme values: find the highest or lowest point before interpreting why it matters.
  • Relationship: decide whether the variables move together, move oppositely, or change in stages.

One unusual point does not cancel the overall pattern unless the graph shows a real reversal.

Step by Step

  1. Scan the graph or table from left to right to see the overall pattern.
  2. Identify the maximum or minimum value if the question asks about a peak or low point.
  3. Check whether the relationship stays consistent or changes in different intervals.
  4. Choose the option that matches the full pattern, not one isolated value.

Misconceptions

  • Treating one data point as if it describes the whole graph.
  • Choosing the highest x-value instead of the highest y-value.
  • Assuming a variable always increases just because the first two points do.
Question

Worked Example

Figure 1 shows enzyme activity at 10 C, 20 C, 30 C, 40 C, and 50 C. The recorded activities are 2, 5, 8, 6, and 3 units, respectively. Based on Figure 1, which statement is supported?

Select an answer to see the explanation