How to Create Bar Graphs
Bar Graphs Bar graphs are descriptive. They compare groups of data such as amounts and categories. They help us make generalizations and see differences in the data.
Example
Another example
Draw the Axes Use a ruler Draw ON the blue lines, not floating in the boxes Leave enough room at the bottom and side to label each axis About 3 boxes Y X
Label the Axes Y X What is observed and measured? (Dependent Variable) What is changed by the scientist? (Independent Variable) # of M&Ms Color of M&Ms
One way to remember which data goes on which axis is the acronym DRY MIX. D.R.Y. M.I.X. D- DependentM- Manipulated R- Responding I- Independent Y- Y-axisX- X-axis DRY MIX
Title Write an appropriate title for the graph at the top. The title should contain both the independent and dependent variables. What you wrote on the X and Y axis Ideas for a title?? Amount of M&Ms in a Fun Size Bag
Scale Decide on an appropriate scale for the y axis. The scale refers to the min and max numbers used on each axis. They may or may not begin at zero. The min and max numbers used for the scale should be a little lower than the lowest value and a little higher than the highest value. This allows you to have a smaller range which emphasizes the comparisons/trends in the data.
Scale The Y-axis scale is from The largest value though is only 35.
Scale The Y-axis scale is now from This does a better job emphasizing the comparisons between coins. What should our scale be?
Intervals Look at your minimum and maximum values you set Decide on an appropriate interval for the scale you have chosen. The interval is the amount between one value and the next. It is highly recommended to use a common number for an interval such as 2, 5, 10, 25, 100, etc. Let’s try a few intervals…
Once you’ve decided… Draw tick marks ON blue line Do NOT label every #
Now let’s draw the bars 1. Start 1 box over from the Y-axis 2. Each bar must be the same size 3. Leave a box or 2 of space between each bar 4. Use a ruler to draw each bar (3-4 boxes wide) 5. Label the color underneath 6. Write values on top of each bar 7. Color!
Does your graph look like this?
Create-a-Graph Online! Click here Click here to use the online tool!