Learning About Graphing

Graphs may look simple but they give us a great deal of information Graphs may look simple but they give us a great deal of information. The two types of graphs mainly used in science are the bar graph and the line graph. Although these types of graphs reflect different types of data, they both have the same features. All graphs must have a descriptive Title. NEVER title a graph GRAPH! The title must tell what the graph is about. A graph has an x and a y-Axis. The horizontal line at the bottom of the graph is the x-axis and the vertical line on the side is the y-axis. They must have categories and/or numbers. As you number each axis you must have equal Intervals. Some times the difference can be as small as 1 and other times may be as large as 10,000. The interval can be any number but they must be equal. Each axis must have a Label to tell what the numbers represent. Typically you can use the labels in the data table to label your graph. The last feature that all graphs must have is a large Scale. You should always make your graph as big as possible. You should never make a tiny graph. The scale of your graph should fill the graph paper as much as possible. When we put all the features together we have an excellent graph. We can remember all these features using a memory helper called TAILS. Use the reading above to determine what each letter stands for.

Graphs may look simple but they give us a great deal of information Graphs may look simple but they give us a great deal of information. The two types of graphs mainly used in science are the bar graph and the line graph. Although these types of graphs reflect different types of data, they both have the same features.

All graphs must have a descriptive Title. NEVER title a graph GRAPH All graphs must have a descriptive Title. NEVER title a graph GRAPH! The title must tell what the graph is about. A graph has an x and a y-Axis. The horizontal line at the bottom of the graph is the x-axis and the vertical line on the side is the y-axis. They must have categories and/or numbers.

As you number each axis you must have equal Intervals As you number each axis you must have equal Intervals. Some times the difference can be as small as 1 and other times may be as large as 10,000. The interval can be any number but they must be equal.

Each axis must have a Label to tell what the numbers represent Each axis must have a Label to tell what the numbers represent. Typically you can use the labels in the data table to label your graph. The last feature that all graphs must have is a large Scale. You should always make your graph as big as possible. You should never make a tiny graph. The scale of your graph should fill the graph paper as much as possible.

When we put all the features together we have an excellent graph When we put all the features together we have an excellent graph. We can remember all these features using a memory helper called TAILS. Use the reading above to determine what each letter stands for. T   A I L S

Finger Thumb Pointer Middle Ring Pinky Materials: Ruler What To Do: 1. Use the ruler to measure the length of your fingers in centimeters. 2. Place the 0 end of the ruler on the line where your palm meets the finger. 3. Record your information below. 4. Make an excellent graph using TAILS. Finger Thumb Pointer Middle Ring Pinky Length in cm.  

 

Answer the following questions about the graph.   1. Title __________________________________ 2. Categories on the X-axis __________________ 3. Numbers on the Y-axis ___________________ 4. What is the interval along the X-axis? ________ 5. What is the interval along the Y-axis? _______ 6. What is the label on the X-axis? ____________ 7. Does the graph fill the graph paper? ________ 8. What is missing from the graph? _____________

Graphing M & M’s Lab

Pre-Lab Questions Answer the following questions, before participating in the lab activity. 1. What process will we be using to solve the activity’s problem? 2. What two things should you mention in your hypothesis? 3. During what step can you open your bag of M & M’s? 4. How will you record and organize your data? 5. After what step will eating the M & M’s be permitted?

The scientific method is a way to think about problems and a way to solve them. Scientists do not always follow the steps of the scientific method in order. However, after a problem is solved, a scientist can use the scientific method to explain how the solution was reached.

The scientific method can be broken down into the following parts: 1. Ask a question. 2. Hypothesis. 3. Experiment. 4. Collect Data. 5. Conclusion. 6. Report-communicate

INTRODUCTION In this activity, you will follow the steps of the scientific method to discover how many candies of each color are in your bag of M & M’s. It will show you how scientists record data on charts, make graphs, and draw conclusions. Do NOT eat any of the candies until you are permitted, because it will affect your results. Do NOT open the bag until you are instructed to do so.

OBJECTIVES 1. Name and describe the steps of the scientific method. 2. Follow the steps of the scientific method to solve a problem. 3. Record data in a table or chart. 4. Construct a graph that shows the results of the investigation.

MATERIALS 1 Ziploc bag M & M’s per person Colored pencils to match M & M colors Pencil or pen

PROCEDURE

1. Ask the question: (Hint – What are you trying to find out?)

2. Form a hypothesis. Write a statement that tells how many candies you think will be in the bag and how many there will be of each color.

3. Experiment. Open the bag of candies. No eating yet 3. Experiment. Open the bag of candies. No eating yet! Sort the candies by color.

Color Total: Frequency (how many) 4. Collect data (part 1). a. Write the different colors in the first column of the data table. b. Count how many candies there are per color. Record the results in the frequency column of the table. c. Add the numbers in the frequency column. Write the total number of candies on the bottom of the frequency column where it says “Total.” Color Frequency (how many)   Total:

5. Collect data (part 2). Use the data that you entered to make a bar graph. Label the horizontal axis with the colors of the candies. Label the vertical axis with the numbers from 1 to 12. Color the bars the same colors as the candies Give your bar graph an appropriate title. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1   Y axis Number of M & M’s Y axis Color of M & M’s

6. Form a conclusion & report 6. Form a conclusion & report. On your paper, write a paragraph that answers the problem you had to solve in the M & M lab. Your paragraph should include: An answer to the question addressed in #1 The total number of candies in your bag and how many there were of each color (frequency). How your actual results compare with your hypothesis (was your hypothesis correct? If not, how close were you?)

You may NOW eat your M & M’s You may NOW eat your M & M’s! Thank you for being patient and following directions.