What is a trend line?

A trend line (also called the line of best fit) is a line we add to a graph to show the general direction in which points seem to be going. Think of a "trend" as a pattern in math. Whatever shape you see on a graph or among a group of data points is a trend. The trend line is something we add to our graph to make the pattern even clearer.

What is a trend line on a graph?

A trend line on a graph, also called a line of best fit, is a line that portrays the overall trend of the points on the graph. The goal of a trend line is to minimize the distance between each individual point and the trend line itself. How do you identify a trend line?

Is there always a trend on a graph?

A trend is a line drawn on a graph to depict a pattern or trend. Is it implied by the meaning of the trend line that there has always been a trend? No, there is not always a trend, but a trend line, also known as a best-fit line, will help identify and quantify any existing trend. A trend line and a line graph are not the same things.