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. dont 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?
2. what is the mass of a badger at 9 months of age?
3. between what ages does a badger grow more rapidly? (circle one)

0 - 2 months
4 - 6 months

1. according to the graph, what is the general relationship between the age of a badger and the mass of the badger?

Explanation:

Step1: Interpolate for 3 and 5 months

For 3 months: Between 2 months (mass = 1.4 kg) and 4 months (mass = 3.6 kg), assume linear - growth. The rate of growth is $\frac{3.6 - 1.4}{4 - 2}=\frac{2.2}{2}=1.1$ kg per month. So at 3 months, the mass is $1.4+(3 - 2)\times1.1 = 2.5$ kg. For 5 months: Between 4 months (mass = 3.6 kg) and 6 months (mass = 6.8 kg), the rate of growth is $\frac{6.8 - 3.6}{6 - 4}=\frac{3.2}{2}=1.6$ kg per month. So at 5 months, the mass is $3.6+(5 - 4)\times1.6 = 5.2$ kg.

Step2: Interpolate for 9 months

Between 8 months (mass = 9.8 kg) and 10 months (mass = 10.4 kg), the rate of growth is $\frac{10.4 - 9.8}{10 - 8}=\frac{0.6}{2}=0.3$ kg per month. So at 9 months, the mass is $9.8+(9 - 8)\times0.3 = 10.1$ kg.

Step3: Determine the rapid - growth period

For 0 - 2 months, the mass changes from 0.1 kg to 1.4 kg, a change of $1.4−0.1 = 1.3$ kg. For 4 - 6 months, the mass changes from 3.6 kg to 6.8 kg, a change of $6.8 - 3.6=3.2$ kg. So the rapid - growth period is 4 - 6 months.

Step4: Analyze the general relationship

As the age of the badger increases, the mass of the badger generally increases.

Answer:

1. 5 months
2. 10.1 kg
3. 4 - 6 months
4. As the age of the badger increases, its mass generally increases.