Types of Graphs Displaying Information

What are Graphs used for? We can present data in a graphical form as it is easier to see what is going on, or to spot patterns, rather than looking at raw numbers in a table or in a spreadsheet. Graphs are visual images which are quick and easy to read.

Raw Data Raw data is collected and recorded in a table. Different eye Colours A simple table is easy to read. What is the most common eye colour? BlueBlackBrownGreyHazelGreen Class One

Types of Graphs There are 5 main types of graphs; 1. pictogram 2. bar chart. 3. comparative graph 4. pie chart 5. line graph

Pictograph This is a simple way of representing data with a picture. What target market would this be good to aim information at? Y axis This tells us the number of pets. X axis. This tells us the type of pets.

Pictograms - Advantages and Disadvantages Can you think what the advantages and disadvantages of a pictogram may be? Advantages Disadvantages

Pictograms - Advantages and Disadvantages Can you think what the advantages and disadvantages of a pictogram may be? Advantages Easy to read. Quick. Communicate with other languages. Disadvantages Simple data Limited topics Suits smaller numbers unless a key/legend is used.

Pictograms - Advantages and Disadvantages Can you think what the advantages and disadvantages of a pictogram may be? Advantages Easy to read. Quick. Communicate with other languages. Disadvantages Simple data Limited topics Suits smaller numbers unless a key/legend is used.

Bar Chart A bar chart uses columns or blocks to show data values. This type of chart is useful for showing bigger numbers and for making quick comparisons. X axis – represents the category choices, the data that does not change. Y axis – usually represents the values that change. Children with eye colour.

Bar Chart Is it easier or harder to read compared to the table? BlueBlackBrownGreyHazelGreen Class One

Comparative Chart What happens if other classes are added. Now which is the most common eye colour? Is it as easy as when it was just one class? BlueBlackBrownGreyHazelGreen Class One Class Two Class Three Class Four

Comparative Graph A comparative graph is used to compare sets of data. It groups results for the same category.

Pie Chart A pie chart is a circle made from segments. Each segment represents a proportion. The proportions of a pie chart are usually shown as a percentage. This is a legend/key. It uses colour code to represent the different topics.

Pie Chart Advantages and Disadvantages Pie charts do not show exact values, but percentages. They are really useful when comparing a large sample with a small sample. It would be difficult, as a bar chart, to compare class eye colour with a top value of 30 children to a whole school survey, where there will be over 200 answers.

Line Graph A line graph is used when the value being measured is the same. It is similar to a bar chart, but samples data at intervals. Line graphs can track when values are high or low. One example is a weather chart, showing the sunshine or rainfall for the year. Each month would be an interval measure. Business use line graphs to track their sales.

Graphs Each graph type has it’s own advantages and disadvantages. You need to think about your purpose and audience before choosing which style to use. Can you remember the five main types of graphs?

Exam Question A company that makes bicycles is celebrating a successful year. They have excellent sales figures and want to use them to help promote their success. A graphic designer has been asked to produce graphs or charts that make the sales figures more visual for use in promotional graphics. The sales figuresare shown below. Sales figures A Worldwide bicycle sales by percentage in 2011 UK Sales 37% European sales 27% USA sales 20% Australian sales 11% Sales in other countries 5% Sales figures B Monthly bicycle sales in 2011 Month Number of sales Jan 1,600 Feb 1,100 Mar 1,200 Apr 2,600 May 2,200 Jun 3,200 Jul 5,600 Aug 6,900 Sept 2,400 Oct 1,150 Nov 1,100 Dec 9,250

The Answer 1a. State the name of a suitable graph for displaying the information revealed in Sales Figure A and explain your answer. 1b. State the name of a suitable graph for displaying the information revealed in Sales Figure B and explain your answer.