Read labels before doing arithmetic
Most graph errors come from the wrong axis, unit, category, or denominator.
Make it repeatable
- Read title, axes, legend, and units.
- Locate the exact row or category asked about.
- Compute only the relevant comparison.
- State the result with units and direction.
Watch the method in action
A table reports 270 votes for vanilla and 230 for chocolate out of 500. Estimate the vote difference in a town of 10,000.
- Survey difference: 40 votes out of 500.
- Scale factor: 10,000 ÷ 500 = 20.
- Expected difference: 40 × 20 = 800.
Vanilla is expected to lead by 800 votes.
Try it yourself
What is the scaled vote difference?
Apply the method to real questions
Start with guided questions and feedback. Then take a fresh independent set without hints. Reach at least 80% on that set to record this lesson.
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