12
Introduction to Graphing

Graphs are pictures of information Graphs provide a fast and easy way to interpret data Why use Graphs?

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Introduction to Graphing

Graphs are pictures of information

Graphs provide a fast and easy way to interpret data

Why use Graphs?

Choosing the Right GraphIt’s important to choose the type of graph that best illustrates your data:

Bar Graph Pie Graph Line Graph

Best used for comparing data quickly and easily

Best used for Showing

percentages(Parts of a Whole)

Best used for looking at

changes overtime (Trends)

Which type of graph would you use for the following data?

Food Percentage Preferring That Food

Skippy’s Rabbit Chow 32

Homemade Rabbit Food 13

Happy Rabbit 10

Joes Special Food for Rabbits 44

Premium Rabbit Nutrition Diet 1

Rabbit Dietary Preferences

Type: Pie Graph.Why: Because there are percentages or parts of a whole.

Which type of graph would you use for the following data?

Month Grade

September 98

October 94

November 88

December 78

January 82

February 83

March 86

April 81

Monthly Science Grades 2010-2011

Type: Line Graph.Why: Because there is a change over time.

Which type of graph would you use for the following data?

Test Tube Number pH

1 6.7

2 7.1

3 7.4

4 7.1

5 7.0

6 6.9

pH of Solutions – Unit 5 Chemistry Experiment

Type: Bar Graph.Why: Because data is being compared.

Components of a Good Graph

Graphs require the correct ingredients, or components, to make them readable and understandable.

For bar graphs and lines graphs, first set up your x-axis and y-axis using a ruler.

The x-axis is horizontal

The y-axis is vertical

x-axis

y-a

xis

The Dependent Variable is the data collected during the experiment. It Responds to the change in the independent variable. This is placed on the Y-axis.

The thing that is Manipulated by the experimenter, the Independent Variable, is placed on the X-axis.

MIX

DR

Y

Components of a Good Graph

Next choose a scale for each of the axes.• Select evenly spaced intervals that include all of

your data.• Always label your axis and include appropriate

units where they apply.P

rofi

t (i

n U

S D

oll

ars)

Month

2010 4th Quarter Profits

Components of a Good Graph

Include a legend when necessary to further clarify your data.

LegendTexas

CaliforniaNevada

Components of a Good Graph

Finally, give your graph a TitleA title tells the reader what he or she is studying.A good title should explain the relationship

between variables.

Components of a Good Graph

Texas

CaliforniaNevada

Pie graphs are shaped like a circle.The size of each “slice” is determined by the

percentage it will represent.On the a pie graph, the independent variable is

whatever the slice of the pie represents, and the dependent variable is the size of the pie slice, the percentage of the whole it represents.

Components of a Good Graph