Question

plotting points
first...
the numbers are marked along the x - axis and y - axis at regular intervals, for example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
next...
you plot the results on the graph.
finally...
you draw a line between the points. don’t forget a good title.
the growth of a baby badger from birth to the age of ten months
age/months mass/kg
0 0.1
2 1.4
4 3.6
6 6.8
8 9.8
10 10.4
complete the graph to the using the data about badger growth. follow the proper steps.
why graph?
graphs can be useful for several reasons. firstly, you can see very clearly that this baby badger grew very quickly up to 8 months but between eight and ten months it grew more slowly. secondly you can use the graph to estimate, for example, the age when you would expect the baby badger to have a mass of 8kg. you draw a line from the vertical axis to the graph. at the point where this line meets the graph you draw a vertical line down to the horizontal axis. the point where the line crosses the horizontal axis will give you the answer.
questions
(1) does a badger have a higher mass at 3 months or 5 months?

Explanation:

Step1: Estimate mass at 3 months

We can use linear - interpolation between 2 and 4 months. The mass at 2 months is 1.4 kg and at 4 months is 3.6 kg. The formula for linear interpolation is $y=y_1+\frac{(x - x_1)(y_2 - y_1)}{(x_2 - x_1)}$, where $x = 3$, $x_1 = 2$, $x_2 = 4$, $y_1 = 1.4$, $y_2 = 3.6$. So $y=1.4+\frac{(3 - 2)(3.6 - 1.4)}{(4 - 2)}=1.4 + 1.1=2.5$ kg.

Step2: Estimate mass at 5 months

We use linear - interpolation between 4 and 6 months. The mass at 4 months is 3.6 kg and at 6 months is 6.8 kg. Using the formula $y=y_1+\frac{(x - x_1)(y_2 - y_1)}{(x_2 - x_1)}$ with $x = 5$, $x_1 = 4$, $x_2 = 6$, $y_1 = 3.6$, $y_2 = 6.8$. So $y=3.6+\frac{(5 - 4)(6.8 - 3.6)}{(6 - 4)}=3.6+1.6 = 5.2$ kg.

Step3: Compare the masses

Since $5.2>2.5$, the badger has a higher mass at 5 months.

Answer:

The badger has a higher mass at 5 months.