SULTAN Graphing

GraphingGraphingUsing graphs is a way that scientists

analyze their data when using the scientific method.

It is important for deciding whether a hypothesis can be either accepted or rejected.

What does SULTANSULTAN it mean?

SSUULLTTAANN

calecale

nitsnits

abelabel

itleitle

ccuracyccuracy

eatnesseatness

Remember:

Independent VariableIndependent Variable - the variable that - the variable that we change in the experiment we change in the experiment (what you (what you know before the experiment).know before the experiment).

Dependent VariableDependent Variable - the thing that we - the thing that we measure in the experiment measure in the experiment (what you (what you don’t know before the experiment).don’t know before the experiment).

Axes:The independent

variable is placed on the X-axis of the graph.

The dependent variable is placed on the Y-axis.

Independent variableIndependent variable

Dep

ende

nt v

aria

ble

Dep

ende

nt v

aria

ble

ScaleScale

Scale is needed to make sure that the Scale is needed to make sure that the information on the graph is readable.information on the graph is readable.

Your graph must fill nearly the whole Your graph must fill nearly the whole area.area.

Numbers must be evenly spaced.Numbers must be evenly spaced.

Which of these graphs has the best scale?

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A B

UnitsUnits

The words or numbers that go on the The words or numbers that go on the axes.axes.

LabelLabelThe labels tell us what we are measuringThe labels tell us what we are measuring

We don’t know what is being shown on this graph.Our independent variable could be many different things like days, weeks, minutes, numbers of people.

We don’t know what is being shown on this graph.Our independent variable could be many different things like days, weeks, minutes, numbers of people.

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Time (min)

Tem

pera

ture

(ºC

)

TitleTitleThe title tells the The title tells the

reader what the reader what the graph shows. graph shows.

One easy way One easy way to make a title is to make a title is to combine the to combine the two labels into a two labels into a meaningful meaningful phrase!phrase!

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Time (min)

Tem

pera

ture

(ºC

)

Temperature of Water vs. Time

Accuracy and NeatnessAccuracy and Neatness

Check your graphs for accuracy and Check your graphs for accuracy and neatness so the reader understands neatness so the reader understands what is being shown.what is being shown.

SULTAN

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Title

Label

Labe

l

Units

Scale

The graph is Accurate and Neat

Rulers should be

used!

Legend

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__ = mile run with power drink__= mile run with water

A graph with more than one set of data needs a legend (key)

A legend is a place where we identify what the symbol or color means