GRAPHING!

GRAPHING NOTES 1. LINE GRAPHS ARE GENERALLY USED IN SCIENCE. THEY USUALLY SHOW CHANGE OVER TIME. THEY CAN SHOW TRENDS IN DATA. *A TREND IS A PATTERN.

2. YOU MUST USE A RULER WHEN MAKING A GRAPH.

3. BEGIN BY DRAWING YOUR X AND Y AXIS. IF TIME IS A VARIBLE, TIME SHOULD GO ON THE X AXIS. *The independent variable should be on the x-axis while the dependent variable is on the y-axis.

4. LABEL BOTH OF YOUR AXES (DON’T FORGET THE UNITS)

5. LOOK AT YOUR DATA. WHAT ARE THE HIGHEST AND LOWEST DATA POINTS? USE THESE NUMBERS TO DETERMINE THE SCALE ON EACH AXIS. *The numbers must go by equal increments. Example : 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 or 6000, 12000, 18000, 24000

6. PLOT YOUR DATA POINTS ON YOUR GRAPH. -Use a line of BEST FIT for your data points. Do NOT just connect the dots. We are looking for patterns – a straight line or a curve.

7. TITLE YOUR GRAPH. THE TITLE SHOULD BE YOUR INDEPENDENT VARIABLE VS. YOUR DEPENDENT VARIABLE. Example – How does increasing the amount of fertilizer affect the number of flower blossoms? IV = Amount of fertilizer DV = Amount of flower blossoms Title – Amount of fertilizer VS. the amount of flowers that blossom.

8. GRAPHS MUST BE NEAT AND ACCURATE.

Graph Grading Appropriate type of graph used Descriptive Title Both axes labeled and with units Number scale uses equal increments. Graph is neat and data is plotted accurately.

Notice best fit can be a curve.

This graph shows that the variables have a Example 1: the extension of a spring against the weight on it. extension (cm) weight (N) This graph shows that the variables have a direct correlation. As one increases it causes the other to increase.

This graph shows that the variables have a inverse correlation. As one increases it causes the other to decrease.

This graph shows that the variables have a NO correlation.