Final answer:
Use an en dash to indicate a range or time span, such as 0–70 minutes or 0–160 km. It is useful in graph labels for variables like Time (min) and ensures clarity in scientific measurements and data presentations.
Step-by-step explanation:
To indicate a range or time span in writing, you should use an en dash. The en dash is slightly longer than a hyphen but shorter than an em dash and is used to connect values as a representative of through, such as numbers, dates, and times.
For example, when labeling the x-axis of a graph with Time (min), if the range is from 0 to 70 minutes, it would be written as 0–70 minutes. Similarly, distances traveled from 0 km to 160 km would be denoted as 0–160 km.
It is important to note that en dashes are used without spaces on either side. This punctuation is essential in interpreting line graphs and understanding the ratio of distance, especially in scientific measurements where accuracy in data presentation is crucial.
When using dashes in a sentence, the en dash is also appropriate for showing contrast and nonessential information, which can be vital when discussing data-related examples like distance traveled versus time elapsed.