The Universal Calculation Engine
The Universal Calculation Engine

Linear versus not linear from a table

Part of: Linear Relationships

Compare linear relationships fairly: same quantities in the same roles, same units.

What to line up

To compare linear relationships fairly, match first quantity to first quantity, second to second, and keep units consistent. Swapping order or units makes equal ratios look unequal (or the reverse). Linear Relationships covers both ideas together.

Related lessons

See also this lesson and this one for related setups you can place side by side.

Same ratio, different look

Example: 3:2 and 6:4 describe the same ratio; 3:2 and 2:3 do not. Write both as “first quantity : second quantity” before you decide if they match.

Check

Aligned setup
Mismatched setup

Same numbers

Core lesson

Related: Linear Relationships. Use the calculator with your own numbers when the example is not close to your case.

Use the calculator

FAQ

Where is the main lesson?

Linear Relationships has the full topic, examples, and practice links.

Which calculator first?

After your setup is on paper, open Graph linear functions for a quick numeric pass.