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Maths In Games

How scores become graphs

Turn high scores and practice attempts into line graphs, bar charts and improvement stories.

Quick answer

Scores in games can be turned into graphs to show how well you're doing over time, helping you see if you're getting better or if you need more practice.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to turn your game scores into simple graphs to show how your scores change over time. Success signs:
  • You can collect your scores from a game
  • You can draw a simple line graph or bar chart with your scores
  • You can explain if your scores are going up or down
  • You can see how graphs help show improvement

Why this matters

Graphs help us see patterns in our scores, which is useful for games, school, and everyday life. When you play a game and keep track of your scores, you can make a graph to see if you're getting better. This helps you understand your progress and makes you feel proud of your improvement. Graphs are also used in science, sports, and even in businesses to show how things change over time.

How it works

To turn scores into graphs, follow these steps:
  1. Collect your scores from a game
  2. Decide what kind of graph to make (line graph or bar chart)
  3. Draw the axes (the lines that make the graph)
  4. Label the axes with what you're measuring
  5. Plot your scores on the graph
  6. Connect the points if you use a line graph
  7. Read the graph to see if your scores are improving

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you play a game where you collect coins. Here’s how your scores might look over 5 weeks:
  • Week 1: 10 coins
  • Week 2: 15 coins
  • Week 3: 12 coins
  • Week 4: 20 coins
  • Week 5: 25 coins
You can make a bar chart with weeks on the bottom and coins on the side. Each bar shows how many coins you collected each week. You can also make a line graph to see how your coin collection improves over time. Here’s how the line graph would look:
Week Coins
Week 1 10
Week 2 15
Week 3 12
Week 4 20
Week 5 25

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Score Tracker Challenge You are a game master collecting scores from your friends' attempts at a new game. You have collected these scores:
Attempt Score
1st attempt 30 points
2nd attempt 45 points
3rd attempt 50 points
4th attempt 35 points
5th attempt 60 points
Your mission: Make a bar chart to show how your friends' scores change over time. Draw a graph with "Attempts" on the bottom and "Points" on the side. Then, draw a line graph to see the overall trend.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Forgetting to label the axes
    Why it happens: Kids get excited to draw and forget to write what each axis shows
    Fix: Always write "Attempts" on the bottom and "Points" or "Score" on the side
  • Mistake: Not using the same scale for all bars
    Why it happens: Kids may make one bar taller than another just because they want to
    Fix: Use the same size for each square on the graph so each point is shown equally
  • Mistake: Drawing points in the wrong place
    Why it happens: Kids may count the points wrong or get confused about which number goes where
    Fix: Double-check each score before drawing it on the graph

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:
  • Encouraging them to keep a record of their scores in a game
  • Helping them draw axes and label them correctly
  • Asking questions like: "Do you think your scores are going up or down?"
  • Practicing with simple bar charts before moving to line graphs
  • Using real-life examples like their pocket money or how many toys they collect
This is a fun way to help your child learn how to show data visually. Don’t worry if they make mistakes – that’s part of learning! You can say: "Let’s check that again" or "Let’s look at your chart together."

Practice questions

  1. What are two types of graphs you can make with game scores?
  2. If your score was 20 in week 1, 25 in week 2, and 30 in week 3, what kind of graph would show this?
  3. Why is it helpful to make a graph of your scores?
  4. What should you always label on your graph?
  5. How can you tell if your scores are improving from a graph?
Answers:
  1. Bar charts and line graphs
  2. A line graph would show this
  3. To see if you're getting better at the game
  4. The axes (what each side shows)
  5. If the line goes up or the bars get taller

FAQ

What is a graph?

A graph is a way to show information using lines, bars, or points. It helps us see patterns and understand data more easily.

Can I make a graph with just one score?

No, graphs need at least two scores to show a pattern or change. One score is just a number.

What’s the difference between a bar chart and a line graph?

A bar chart uses bars to show different amounts. A line graph uses points connected by lines to show how something changes over time.

How do I make a line graph?

First, draw two lines (axes) and label them. Then, plot your scores as points and connect them with a line.

Why do we use graphs in games?

Graphs help us see how we're doing over time. They make it easier to know if we're getting better or if we need more practice.