1. Environmental Science
Graphing Basics
Environmental Science

2. What is a graph?
Graph – A visual representation of data There are three main types: Bar Graph Circle/Pie Graph Line Graph

3. Bar Graph
Used to show comparison between quantitative data (numbers) and qualitative data (objects, places, etc)

4. Circle/pie graph Used to show percentages of a whole
Must add up to 100%
5 red, 5 blue, 10 green
5/20 x 100 = 25% red
5/20 x 100 = 25% blue
10/20 x 100 = 50% green

5. Line Graph
Used to show relationships between quantities
Show a change over time
May have more than one line on a single graph

7. Steps to Making a graph Decide which type to used based on the data
Determine you independent and dependent variables
Ind – x axis; dep – y axis
Make your EVENLY SPACED scale to use as much of the graph paper as possible – Always start at zero!
Plot points (line graph) or draw bars
Make a key if necessary
Give it a title and label your axes! (Points off if you don’t!)