Grade 6 · Math · Lesson 30

Analyze Misleading Graphs

A graph is supposed to make data easier to read at a glance, but the same numbers can be drawn in ways that mislead the reader. The author can shrink the y-axis, change the spacing, tilt the chart in 3D, or leave out part of the timeline so the picture matches a story they want to tell. In this lesson you will learn the most common tricks and how to look past them to the real numbers.

What this lesson teaches

1Spot a truncated y-axis and explain how it exaggerates differences
2Detect inconsistent intervals or scales that distort a trend
3Recognize when 3D effects, cherry-picked ranges, or missing labels hide the true story
4Decide whether a graph is misleading or accurate before trusting its claim

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