Question

analysis

1. describe the general trend shown by the data (ex: \as the x axis increases ____\).
2. how has the earths average surface temperature changed with time?
3. use the graph to determine the average surface temperature for 1980.
4. use the graph to determine the average surface temperature for 1776.
5. is the data in your graph continuous or discontinuous? explain.
6. extrapolate the data (determine by the information on the graph) to predict what the average surface temperature will be in the year 2100.
7. extrapolate the data (determine by the information on the graph) to predict what the average surface temperature will be in the year 2150.

conclusion
make two rough graph sketches below. the first should show your graph from the front side of this document and the second should show what your data would look like if you started your x axis at \0\ (you dont need to include specific numbers, we just want to see what the lines look like).

1. why might a climate change scientist choose to report their findings using the graph on the left versus the graph on the right?
2. give a specific example of a different situation where a scientists, politician, or journalist might choose to adjust the scale of the y - axis of the graph in order to make a point. explain how adjusting that y - axis scale might help them to make their point.

Answer:

Since the questions involve analyzing the Earth's average surface - temperature data over time, predicting future temperatures, and discussing graph - related aspects in the context of climate change, the subfield is Environmental Sciences.

Step - by - Step Format

3.

• Explanation: Observe the overall pattern of the data points on the graph with respect to the X - axis (time).
• There is no specific expression as it is a descriptive task. If the data shows an upward trend, we could say "As the X axis (time) increases, the average surface temperature increases." If it shows a downward trend, "As the X axis (time) increases, the average surface temperature decreases." If it is fluctuating, "As the X axis (time) increases, the average surface temperature fluctuates."

4.

• Explanation: Locate different time points on the X - axis and their corresponding temperature values on the Y - axis.
• There is no specific expression as it is a descriptive task. We need to look at how the temperature values change as we move from earlier to later time points on the graph. For example, if the graph shows a steady rise, we can say "The Earth's average surface temperature has been steadily increasing over time." If it shows fluctuations with an overall upward trend, "The Earth's average surface temperature has been fluctuating but has an overall upward trend over time."

5.

• Explanation: Locate the year 1980 on the X - axis and read the corresponding temperature value on the Y - axis.
• There is no specific expression as it is a reading - off task. Let the temperature value read from the graph be $T_{1980}$.

6.

• Explanation: Locate the year 1776 on the X - axis and read the corresponding temperature value on the Y - axis.
• There is no specific expression as it is a reading - off task. Let the temperature value read from the graph be $T_{1776}$.

7.

• Explanation: Check if the data points can be connected by a smooth curve without breaks.
• If the data points can be connected by a smooth curve without any jumps or breaks, the data is continuous. Mathematically, for any two points $(x_1,y_1)$ and $(x_2,y_2)$ on the graph, there are values for all $x$ between $x_1$ and $x_2$ and the function representing the data is well - defined in that interval. If there are breaks or jumps, the data is discontinuous.

8.

• Explanation: Extend the trend of the data on the graph to the year 2100.
• One common way is to fit a line or a curve to the existing data points (e.g., linear regression if the trend appears linear) and then use the equation of the line/curve to find the temperature value at $x = 2100$. Let the equation of the fitted line be $y=mx + c$, where $m$ is the slope and $c$ is the y - intercept. Substitute $x = 2100$ into the equation to get the predicted temperature $T_{2100}=m\times2100 + c$.

9.

• Explanation: Extend the trend of the data on the graph to the year 2150.
• Similar to step 8, if the fitted equation is $y = mx + c$, substitute $x = 2150$ into the equation to get the predicted temperature $T_{2150}=m\times2150 + c$.

Conclusion 1.

• Explanation: Consider the visual impact and information presented by each graph.
• The graph on the left might be chosen if it better emphasizes the long - term trend or the magnitude of the temperature change. For example, if the left - hand graph has a more appropriate scale that makes the trend more visible, or if it includes more relevant data points for the scientist's argument. The graph on the right might be less suitable if it distorts the trend or makes it harder to interpret the data accurately.

Conclusion 2.

• Explanation: Think of a situation where changing the Y - axis scale can influence the perception of data.
• For example, a scientist might be trying to show the impact of a small change in a pollutant level over time. If the Y - axis scale is very large, the change might appear negligible. By reducing the Y - axis scale to focus on the range of the pollutant level changes, the scientist can make the point that the change is significant.

Since we don't have the actual graph, we can't provide specific numerical answers for questions 5, 6, 8, and 9. But the above steps outline the general approach to answering these questions.