Showing patterns & trends Graphing Your Data Showing patterns & trends A picture is worth a thousand words! 2008-2009

Types of data (information) Variables what you measure in an experiment dependent variable measured variable unpredictable change: we don’t know how it will change until we do the experiment Y-axis independent variable manipulated variable predictable change: it only changes because we chose how it would change X-axis The effect of _____________ on _____________ INDEPENDENT DEPENDENT 2005-2006

Examples of experiments 1 How does fertilizer affect the growth rate of plants? we set up an experiment testing different amounts of fertilizer on different plants & measuring the growth (height) of the plants: dependent variable (Y-axis)? height of plants independent variable (X-axis)? amount of fertilizer The effect of _____________ on _____________ Amount of Fertilizer Height of Plants 2005-2006

Examples of experiments 2 How does exercise affect heart rate of 10th grade student? we set up an experiment testing different lengths of time of exercise (minutes) on the heart rate of students: dependent variable (Y-axis)? heart rate independent variable (X-axis)? minutes of exercise The effect of _____________ on _____________ Exercise Heart Rate 2005-2006

Examples of experiments 3 What’s the favorite drink of students? we set up an experiment surveying students and asking which is their favorite drink : dependent variable (Y-axis)? number of students independent variable (X-axis)? type of drink The effect of _____________ on _____________ Type of Drink How many students chose it 2005-2006

Making pictures out of data Graphs line graphs graphing data that shows continuous change bar graphs (or histograms) graphing data that is in disconnected groups How’s a critter to choose? 2005-2006

elevation (feet above sea level) How does elevation affect temperature? Line graph! elevation (feet above sea level) temp. (°C) 30 500 25 1000 20 1500 15 2000 10 2500 5 30 25 20 18 temperature 15 10 1200 ft? 5 500 1000 1200 1500 2000 2500 2005-2006 elevation

Which drink do you like best? number Coke 1 Pepsi Water 4 Iced tea Gatorade 3 6 Bar graph! 5 4 number of students 3 2 Red Bull? 1 Coke RB Pepsi RB water tea Gatorade 2005-2006 type of drink

Any Questions?? 2008-2009