Biology Steps to Making a Line Graph 1

Biology: Steps to Making a Line Graph 1. Identify the variables: • Independent Variable IV The one “I” control • Dependent Variable DV • Can’t control, can only measure it • During an experiment, a student tests the hypothesis that students are becoming more impatient. To do this she measures the effect of the time spent waiting for a link to upload on a computer, on the number of students that earn a Pretzel Point for uploading the link and clicking a button to vote for “Pretzels” as the best nickname. The data are shown below: Day Time spent Waiting (seconds) Number of students that voted 1 5 sec 2 10 161 130 3 15 4 20 5 25 6 30 7 35 8 40 9 45 127 82 78 70 68 55

Biology: Steps to Making a Line Graph 2. Determine the variable range: (highest – lowest) IV: time 45 -5 = 40 or 45 -0 DV: number of students voting 161 -55 = 106 or 161 -0

Column 1 Biology: Steps to Making a Line Graph 3. Determine the scale of the graph • What is each square valued • Do each axis separately 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 0 20 40 60

Column 1 180 Biology: Steps to Making a Line Graph 4. Label the axes with the variable and the units it is measured in. 160 140 120 100 Number of students 80 60 40 20 0 0 20 40 Time spent waiting (seconds) 60

Column 1 180 Biology: Steps to Making a Line Graph 5. Plot the data … And 6. Add a best fit line or connect depending on the data. 160 140 120 100 Number of students 80 60 40 20 0 0 20 40 Time spent waiting (seconds) 60

Column 1 Biology: Steps to Making a Line Graph 7. Title in the form Y vs. X Or DV vs. IV 180 160 140 120 100 Number of students 80 60 40 20 0 0 20 40 Time spent waiting (seconds) 60

Biology: Steps to Making a Line Graph 7. Title in the form Y vs. X Or DV vs. IV NUMBER OF STUDENTS EARNING Column 1 A POINT vs. WAITING TIME 180 160 140 120 100 Number of students 80 60 40 20 0 0 20 40 Time spent waiting (seconds) 60

Biology: Steps to Making a Line Graph