What is the purpose of using a line graph?

Using a line graph serves the primary purpose of depicting changes or trends in continuous data over time. Line graphs effectively represent data points that are connected by lines, allowing viewers to observe how values fluctuate over a period. This visualization is particularly useful for identifying patterns, trends, or cycles within the dataset, which can be critical for analyses in fields such as finance, meteorology, and many scientific disciplines.

The clarity of a line graph in illustrating incremental changes makes it an ideal choice for displaying time-series data, where understanding the progression of values is essential. For instance, if you were to track the temperature throughout a day or the stock prices over several months, a line graph would allow you to easily recognize trends such as rising temperatures or fluctuating stock prices.

In contrast, other graph types may serve different purposes, such as showcasing discrete categories or comparing multiple datasets without a focus on trends. Thus, line graphs excel specifically in conveying the essence of change over time.