14

Discussing Data

a computer spreadsheet/graphing program a classmate

Tim

e (

p.m

.)

People

Minute

30 45

00 00 15 30 30 45

00 30

15

Dinner Time

Dinner Time

Dinner Time

Ha

ha

na

Ja

ne

Isla

Lin

g

Iwa

Fin

Erro

l

Des

Ca

rla

Ben

Ata

Car

Walk

Scooter

Bike

Bus

i.

ii.

iii.

Person Time (p.m.)

Ata 6.00

Ben 5.30

Carla 7.00

Des 6.30

Errol 6.00

Fin 5.45

Iwa 6.15

Ling 6.30

Isla 6.45

Jane 8.15

Hahana 7.30

Hour (p.m.)

5

6

7

8

ii.i. Getting to School

BusWalk Car ScooterBike

Nu

mb

er

of

tim

es

cho

sen

2. Leilani’s investigation: What time do students usually begin dinner?

You need

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

0

Getting to School

9.00

8.00

7.00

6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0

Activity

It can be hard to choose the best way to show data. Areta, Leilani, and Rory each surveyed some of their classmates. Then they tried different graphs and tables to display the data they collected in their investigations.

For each investigation, decide which graph or table most clearly answers the question. Discuss your reasons with a classmate.

1. Areta’s investigation: How do students get to school?

Statistics: Revised Edition, Levels 2–3

Investigating ways to present data using graphsFocus

3. Rory’s investigation: How much more rain falls in the wettest month than in the driest month?

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Mill

imet

res

MonthJan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Rainfall per Monthi.

Rainfall by Seasoniii.

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Investigation

1. Investigate the different types of graph that you can make using a computer graphing program.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of 3-dimensional bar graphs and pie charts?

3. What kinds of graph have you used that you can’t make with this graphing program?

Month Rainfall (mm)

Jan 13

Feb 38

Mar 44

Apr 50

May 63

June 57

July 89

Aug 90

Sept 68

Oct 43

Nov 39

Dec 25

Rainfall per Monthii.

15