It does not have to.
The independent variable, if there is any, usually goes on the x axis. Since time, particularly for time series, is often an independent variable, it goes on the x axis. However, if I were studying the time interval between the oldest and youngest sibling (brother or sister) in families of different size, I would plot the family size on the x axis and time on the y axis. In this case, the family size is the independent variable and the time [interval] the dependent.
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The horizonal axis (x)
You cannot do it as this will affect the shape of the graph. The x-axis, like the y-axis, must go in order. What is the point of them giving you values of x-axis if you can skip it?
X axis is time. Y-axis is distance traveled
time is on the x axis and distance is on the y axis
The x-axis is the horizontal axis on a graph. The y-axis is the vertical axis on a graph.