Adding a trendline to a chart

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Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. What does a trendline show on a chart?

A The overall direction of the data

B The exact value of every single point

2. Which menu path adds a trendline in a spreadsheet chart?

A Format Cells > Trendline

B Add Chart Element > Trendline

3. A trendline slopes up from left to right. What does this tell you?

A The data is trending upward

B The data is trending downward

4. A student charts the temperature each day as winter begins. The trendline slopes down to the right. What is the trend?

A Temperatures are generally falling

B Temperatures are generally rising

5. Which statement about a trendline is true?

A Every point must sit exactly on the line

B Some points can sit above or below the line

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1Add Chart Element > Trendline		ATrendline: high on the left, low on the right
2Trendline sloping upward		BAn upward trend: the values are mostly going up over time
3To show the overall direction of your chart points, you add a line fitted to them		CChart Design > Add Chart Element > Trendline > Linear
4A downward trend means the trendline slopes down from left to right		DPoints above or below the line do not mean the trendline is wrong. The trendline shows the overall direction, so some points will sit above it and some below it.
5Point far above the trendline = the trendline is wrong		EA trendline can only be added to a chart. You must create the chart first, then use Add Chart Element > Trendline.
6Select a cell > Insert > Trendline (without a chart)		FThe menu steps that add a trendline to a chart so you can see the overall direction of the data

Definitions

Trendline

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

Add Chart Element > _________

_________________ > Trendline

Slope above 0 means an ______ trend

Point above line = ______ than the trend

Straight line trendline type: ______

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A Select cells A1:B8

B Insert > Chart > Trendline

C Add Chart Element > Trendline

Question 2

A Select the data

B Insert a line chart

C Click the chart

D Add Chart Element > Gridlines

Question 3

A Sales: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10

B Add a trendline

C Line slopes up

D Trend: downward

Question 4

A Data: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9

B Add a trendline

C Line slopes down

D Trend: downward

Question 5

A A trendline shows each value

B Up slope = values rising

C Down slope = values falling

Answer Key

Adding a trendline to a chart

Section A: Quick Questions

A — The overall direction of the data

B — Add Chart Element > Trendline

A — The data is trending upward

A — Temperatures are generally falling

B — Some points can sit above or below the line

Section B: Match the Pairs

Add Chart Element > Trendline → The menu steps that add a trendline to a chart so you can see the overall direction of the data

Trendline sloping upward → An upward trend: the values are mostly going up over time

To show the overall direction of your chart points, you add a line fitted to them → Chart Design > Add Chart Element > Trendline > Linear

A downward trend means the trendline slopes down from left to right → Trendline: high on the left, low on the right

Point far above the trendline = the trendline is wrong → Points above or below the line do not mean the trendline is wrong. The trendline shows the overall direction, so some points will sit above it and some below it.

Select a cell > Insert > Trendline (without a chart) → A trendline can only be added to a chart. You must create the chart first, then use Add Chart Element > Trendline.

Section C: Definitions

Trendline — A straight or curved line fitted to the points on a chart. It shows the overall direction of the data, such as going up or down. Add it with Add Chart Element > Trendline.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

Add Chart Element > Trendline

Slope above 0 means an upward trend

Point above line = higher than the trend

Straight line trendline type: Linear

Section E: Spot the Error

B — A trendline is not a chart type. First insert a chart such as Scatter (Insert > Chart > Scatter), then add the trendline to it.

D — Gridlines are only background lines. To show the overall direction you need Add Chart Element > Trendline.

D — The sales values keep rising and the line slopes up, so the trend is upward, not downward.

A — The values rise here, but the other lines say the trendline slopes down. The data should fall: 9, 7, 5, 3, 1.

A — A trendline shows the overall direction of the data, not each exact value. It should say it shows direction.