Let’s solve this step by step.
We are given a table with years (from 1650 to 2011) and the world population in billions for each year. We need to create a line graph using this data.
Step 1: Understand what we’re plotting
- The
x-axis (horizontal) will be the
Year A.D.
- The
y-axis (vertical) will be the
Number of People (in Billions)
We’ll plot each point as (Year, Population), then connect them with lines to show how population grew over time.
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Step 2: List all the points from the table
Here are the coordinates we will plot:
- (1650, 0.5)
- (1750, 0.7)
- (1800, 0.9)
- (1850, 1.0)
- (1900, 1.6)
- (1925, 2.0)
- (1950, 2.5)
- (1960, 3.0)
- (1974, 4.0)
- (1976, 4.1)
- (1980, 4.4)
- (1987, 5.0)
- (1991, 5.4)
- (1999, 6.0)
- (2000, 6.1)
- (2004, 6.4)
- (2007, 6.6)
- (2011, 7.0)
Note: Some years are close together — like 1974 and 1976 — so on the graph, those points will be very near each other horizontally.
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Step 3: Set up your graph paper or digital tool
You should draw two axes:
- Label the bottom axis “Year” and mark it from 1650 to 2011. You don’t have to put every single year — maybe every 50 years at first, then add more marks between 1950–2011 since there’s more data there.
Example x-axis labels:
1650, 1700, 1750, 1800, 1850, 1900, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010
- Label the left axis “Population (Billions)” and go from 0 to 7. Mark every 0.5 or 1 billion.
Example y-axis labels:
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
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Step 4: Plot each point carefully
For example:
- Find 1650 on the x-axis, go up to 0.5 on the y-axis → put a dot.
- Find 1750 → go up to 0.7 → put a dot.
- Continue for all points.
Tip: For years like 1974 or 1999, estimate where they fall between 1970 and 1980, or 1990 and 2000.
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Step 5: Connect the dots with straight lines
After plotting all points, use a ruler or freehand to draw straight lines connecting each point to the next one in order (by year). This makes a “line graph” that shows growth over time.
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Step 6: Add title and labels
Write a clear title at the top:
“World Population Growth from 1650 to 2011”
Label both axes clearly:
- X-axis: “Year”
- Y-axis: “Population (in Billions)”
Also, if required, write your name and date somewhere on the graph.
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Final Check
Make sure:
✔ All 18 points are plotted
✔ Lines connect consecutive points
✔ Axes are labeled
✔ Title is included
✔ Scale is appropriate (no squished or stretched parts)
This graph will show slow growth until around 1900, then faster growth after that — especially from 1950 onward.
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Final Answer:
Create a line graph with Year on the x-axis (1650–2011) and Population (billions) on the y-axis (0–7). Plot all 18 data points from the table, connect them in order with straight lines, label both axes, and add the title “World Population Growth from 1650 to 2011”.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of population growth worksheet answers.