Graphs A way of representing information so the information can be compared.

Graphs are usually used for comparison, but they can be used to make predictions.

Graphs are also a way of organizing information and recording information, but that is not the main purpose of graphs.

Required Parts of a Graph X axis Yaxis

When making a graph, most people place the X axis on the bottom and the Y axis along the left side. However, not every graph has to be that way.

Some graphs place the X axis on top or the Y axis on the right side. Sometimes there is more than one Y axis or X axis. Do not let this confuse you. You read the graph the same way.

Needed Parts of a Graph Title Labels Scale

Title A title informs the reader of the graph what the graph is showing. Sometimes you cannot tell by just looking at the graph.

Labels Labels shows what each part of the graph represents. Very important to label the X axis and Y axis. Other labels are up to the maker. Keep it neat.

Scale Something divided into regular spaces for measuring.

Very important when using a scale to keep the numbers regularly spaced. You can go 5, 10, 15, 20 or 1, 2, 3, 4 or 2, 4, 6, 8 or 20, 30, 40, 50. Do not just write the numbers you have, for example 22, 37, 45, 77, 93.

Some people say that when making a graph, you have to start the scale with 0. You do not. There also a way to shorten a scale when numbers are really far apart.

Types of Graphs Line Graph Bar Graph Circle Graph or Pie Chart Scattergraph

Line Graphs Graphs designed to show a direct relationship between 2 or more characteristics

Line Graphs Line graphs can be used to make predictions

Bar Graphs Used to show comparisons

Histogram A type of bar graph in which the bars are connected in order to show a trend.

Pie Chart Used to show the comparison of parts of a whole

Scattergraph Used to show the probability of two characteristics.

Tables Way of organizing information.

Parts of a Table Title Rows Columns

In order to make a table, you must be able to arrange the information into rows and columns so they intersect.

You can not make a table out of any information. They must be related close enough to form intersecting rows and columns.

Most of the time, the rows and columns have labels to identify what you are looking at. However, they do not have to have labels.

Concept Map A way of organizing information that is not closely related

Concept maps are read like a road map. Your follow the lines to the next point. Just like you follow a road to a specific point.

As long as the points are connected by a line, then the information is related. If the points are not connected by a line, then the information is not related.

To see how information is described, follow the lines to the next point. The next point is a subcategory of the previous point.

The next point is part of the previous point, however the previous point is not part of the next point.

One liter of water was heated and its temperature was recorded every minute for six minutes. The results are shown on the graph. According to the graph, between the second and fourth minutes, the temperature rose

40 o

The graph shows the seasonal change in the population of a certain species of insect. During which month did the population reach its peak?

September

According to this pyramid, which group of organisms has the LEAST available energy?

Octopuses

Which of these organisms was the primary consumer?

Rabbit

The tuna could be classified as a

Tertiary Consumer

Best Fit Line A line used in a graph to determine the average of the data. The slope of the line is used to find information. Also known as linear fit.