Introduction to Graphing Why use Graphs Graphs are

Introduction to Graphing

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

Choosing the Right Graph It’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 over time (Trends)

Which type of graph would you usefor the following data? Rabbit Dietary Preferences 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 Type: Pie Graph. Why: Because there are percentages or parts of a whole.

Which type of graph would you usefor the following data? Monthly Science Grades 2010 -2011 Month Grade September 98 October 94 November 88 December 78 January 82 February 83 March 86 April 81 Type: Line Graph. Why: Because there is a change over time.

Which type of graph would you usefor the following data? p. H of Solutions – Unit 5 Chemistry Experiment Test Tube Number p. H 1 6. 7 2 7. 1 3 7. 4 4 7. 1 5 7. 0 6 6. 9 Type: Bar Graph. Why: Because data is being compared.

Components of a Good Graphs require the correct ingredients, or components, to make them readable and understandable. The x-axis is horizontal y-axis For bar graphs and lines graphs, first set up your x-axis and y -axis using a ruler. The y-axis is vertical x-axis

Components of a Good Graph 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. DRY The thing that is Manipulated by the experimenter, the Independent Variable, is placed on the X-axis. MIX

Components of a Good Graph Profit (in US Dollars) 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. 2010 4 th Quarter Profits Month

Components of a Good Graph Include a legend when necessary to further clarify your data. Legend Texas California Nevada

Components of a Good Graph Finally, give your graph a Title A title tells the reader what he or she is studying. A good title should explain the relationship between variables. Texas California Nevada

Components of a Good Graph 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.