In what situations do we use each type of graph? APPROPRIATE GRAPHS In what situations do we use each type of graph?

SCENARIO #1 You have been asked to graph the populations of the 6 largest Native American tribes in the United States. Would you use a stem-and-leaf plot or a bar graph to display the data? Why?

Would you use a line graph or stem-and-leaf plot? Why? SCENARIO #2 You are going to make a graph of some sixth grade students’ math test scores using the data below. Would you use a line graph or stem-and-leaf plot? Why?

Would you use a line plot or a line graph? Why? SCENARIO #3 You have been asked to graph the height of a sunflower plant every week for a month. Would you use a line plot or a line graph? Why?

SCENARIO #4 The table shows the heights of some sixth grade students. Would a bar graph or a line plot better display the data? Why?

Would you use a line plot or a bar graph? Why? SCENARIO #5 You have been asked to graph how many times the ten most popular songs of the week have been downloaded. Would you use a line plot or a bar graph? Why?

SCENARIO #6 Patrick is keeping a frequency table of how many times he carries the football each game this season. Would the data best be displayed using a line graph or a histogram? Why? 0 - 4 5 – 9 10 – 14 15 – 19 20 - 24 lll llll ll 3 4 2

People leaving a movie theater were asked their age. SCENARIO #7 People leaving a movie theater were asked their age. Customers’ Ages 42 11 13 15 22 31 40 12 17 20 33 16 24 Would you use a use a line graph or a stem-and-leaf plot to display the data? Why?

Would a line plot or a histogram better display the data? Why? SCENARIO #8 You have been asked to graph the amount of money in sixth graders’ lunch accounts. You are going to use intervals of $10.00. Would a line plot or a histogram better display the data? Why?

Would a line graph or a bar graph better display the data? Why? SCENARIO #9 The table shows the average temperature for San Diego for a six month period. Would a line graph or a bar graph better display the data? Why?

Would a line plot or a pictograph be the more appropriate graph? Why? SCENARIO #10 The following data table shows the results of a survey about students’ favorite after school snack. Would a line plot or a pictograph be the more appropriate graph? Why?

Answers… 1. A bar graph is more appropriate because you have different categories. Bar graphs are used to display categorical data. 2. A stem-and-leaf plot would be better because you want to see the numbers in order and see how the numbers are distributed. A line graph would show you change over time, and there is no time in this situation.

Answers… 3. A line graph because you are showing growth over one month. Line graphs are used to show change over time. 4. A line plot because they are used to show how many times each number occurs. 5. A bar graph because you would use categories (the song titles) of data. 6. A histogram because Patrick used intervals to keep track of his data. Only a histogram uses intervals of numbers.

Answers... 7. A stem-and-leaf plot because you want to see the distribution of the numbers. A line graph wouldn’t work because you aren’t showing any change over time. 8. A histogram because you are using intervals of ten dollars. 9. A line graph because you are showing change in temperature over a 6-month span. 10. A pictograph because you have categories of snacks. Only bar graphs and pictographs display categorical data.