Purpose of Graphs Understanding when to use what type of graph.

Graphs Graphs are an excellent way to present data for easy understanding. They provide a visual way for your audience to examine and synthesize your data. The data that you present will dictate the type of graph that you use.

Bar Graph Compare quantities in different categories. Amounts, characteristics, frequency. There are single, double, and stacked bar graphs.

Pie Chart Used to compare part to whole relationship. Used to compare part to part relationship. Use when exact quantities are less important than the relative size of parts.

Line Graph Change over time. Change over distance. Shows a distinct relationship. Can be used to show changes over multiple groups.

Titles and Legends Title – must be descriptive. Graph is never an appropriate title. Axis Titles – Label the x-axis and y-axis with the appropriate titles. This includes unit of measurement. Used on Bar and Line Graphs. Key or Legend – When appropriate, graphs need the individual pieces identified. Often found on Bar Graphs, and Pie Charts.

Titles and Legends Title X-Axis Title Y- Axis Title

What type of graph would you use? 1.Comparing the percentage of people who watch baseball to those who watch football. 2.Population trends of frogs during the summer months. 3.Number of girls versus the number of boys who have been out of California. 4.Speed of a train for the duration of a trip.

What type of graph would you use? 1.Pie Chart 2.Line Graph 3.Bar Graph 4.Line Graph

M&M Graphs You have made a double bar graph to show the averages of your table’s M&M data versus your individual packet of data. If you were going to make a graph depicting the percentages of your data, what type of graph would you use? How do we turn percentages into something that we can draw? See Creating a Circle Graph by Hand handout.