How to Create Bar Graphs Bar Graphs Bar

How to Create Bar Graphs

Bar Graphs • Bar graphs are descriptive. • They compare groups of data such as amounts and categories. • They help us make generalizations and see differences in the data.

Example

Another example

Draw the Axes Y • Use a ruler • Draw ON the blue lines, not floating in the boxes • Leave enough room at the bottom and side to label each axis • About 3 boxes X

Label the Axes What is observed and measured? (Dependent Variable) # of M&Ms Y X Color of M&Ms What is changed by the scientist? (Independent Variable)

Title n Write an appropriate title for the graph at the top. n The title should contain both the independent and dependent variables. n What you wrote on the X and Y axis n Ideas for a title? ? n Amount of M&Ms in a Fun Size Bag

Scale n Decide on an appropriate scale for the y axis. n The scale refers to the min and max numbers used on each axis. They may or may not begin at zero. n The min and max numbers used for the scale should be a little lower than the lowest value and a little higher than the highest value. n This allows you to have a smaller range which emphasizes the comparisons/trends in the data.

Scale • The Y-axis scale is from 0 -100. • The largest value though is only 35.

Scale • The Y-axis scale is now from 0 -40. • This does a better job emphasizing the comparisons between coins. • What should our scale be?

Intervals n Look at your minimum and maximum values you set n Decide on an appropriate interval for the scale you have chosen. n The interval is the amount between one value and the next. n It is highly recommended to use a common number for an interval such as 2, 5, 10, 25, 100, etc. n Let’s try a few intervals…

Once you’ve decided… n Draw tick marks ON blue line n Do NOT label every #

Now let’s draw the bars 1. Start 1 box over from the Y-axis 2. Each bar must be the same size 3. Leave a box or 2 of space between each bar 4. Use a ruler to draw each bar (3 -4 boxes wide) 5. Label the color underneath 6. Write values on top of each bar 7. Color!

Does your graph look like this?

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