Graph Definition

noun
  1. mathematics
    a visual representation of a function in the Cartesian coordinate system.
    "The graph of the sine function looks like a wave."
    Similar:
    plot
  2. graph theory
    a collection of points, called vertices, and lines connecting some (possibly empty) subset of pairs of points, called edges.
    "In networks, a graph is used to represent the connections between nodes."
verb
  • mathematics
    To plot or draw a representation of (data, a function, or a diagram) in a graphical form on a coordinate system.
    "The students were asked to graph the equations."
    Similar:
    plot
All terms

Explanation

A graph is a visual representation of a function or a set of data in the Cartesian coordinate system. It helps in understanding the behavior of the function or the trend in the data. The horizontal axis is usually denoted as -axis and the vertical axis as -axis. For example, the graph of the function is a parabola.

Graphs can be used to represent a wide variety of functions and data sets. The graph of a function can help you visualize properties of the function, such as its intercepts, maximum and minimum points, and intervals of increase and decrease.

The process of drawing the graph of a function or a set of data is known as graphing or plotting.

Related Terms

Plot

In math, a plot is a visual representation of data points or a function on a coordinate system.

Function

A function is a mathematical relationship between two sets, called the domain and the codomain, in which each element in the domain corresponds to exactly one element in the codomain.

x Intercept

The x-intercept of a graph is the point(s) at which the graph intersects the x-axis. In other words, it is the value of x when the function or equation's output (y-value) is zero.