tips on questions with graphs

[AntonFreeman]

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I am still early in the game with studying for MCAT but I have been missing almost all questions that say 'which graph best descirbes...' Do you guys have any tips on how you guys go about solving these kinds of questions?

 

[gunj122]

whenever you get a question like that, always look for a given equation in the passage or an equation that's supposed to be "common knowledge."

most of the time it'll be given in the passage somewhere. rearrange the equation so that your dependent variable 👍 is alone one side of the equation and your independent variable (x) is on the other side. basically make it so its y=x format. then whatever results from this rearrangement, you'll have to know the general shape of the graph from your repertoire of graphs.

here's a link with common graphs you should know: http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/CommonGraphs.aspx

i would def know what y=x; y=x^2; y=sqrt(x); y=ln(x); y= e^x; sin and cos graphs; y=1/x.

i think with this technique, you'll be able to tackle 95% of those graph questions.

 

[MShopes]

I am still early in the game with studying for MCAT but I have been missing almost all questions that say 'which graph best descirbes...' Do you guys have any tips on how you guys go about solving these kinds of questions?

I think graphs are the best indicators of your understanding of concepts not just straight facts. If you can't solve graph questions right, then you are lacking the fundamentals and concept and absolutely need to refresh it because all passages are like that as well. They depend more on concept understanding. I feel your pain because some of them are hard for me too but all I can say is focus on the big picture and concepts rather than little details of everything. Passages always give you enough detail to solve most questions right but without understanding the big picture and concept from your content review, you wouldn't know what the passage is talking about.

 

[MT Headed]

EK's Verbal Reasoning and Mathematical Techniques has a an entire lesson (i.9) on how to analyze graphs. It seems a shame to spend $20 on a book for a 3 page lesson, maybe you could find a friend with it, or find some other way to sneak a peek at the graph lesson and quiz?

 

[NeuroDevil]

Two other things to consider:

-Pay attention to the starting point of graphs. Sometimes you can eliminate answers because they either start at zero whey they shouldn't or don't start at zero when they should.
-Think about whether the quantity in question should ever reach a maximum value. The answer to this question can also help you eliminate answer choices.

 

[shahcoco]

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