1. Showing patterns & trends Easily display results
Graphing Your Data
Showing patterns & trends
Easily display results
A picture is worth a thousand words!

2. Types of data Variables
Dependent variable what you measure in an experiment
we don’t know how it will change until we do the experiment
Graphed on the Y- axis
Independent Variable:
Changed on purpose: it is what is
being tested
Graphed on the X-Axis

3. Examples of Experiments 1
How does fertilizer affect the growth rate of plants?
we set up an experiment testing different amounts of fertilizer on different plants & measuring the growth (height) of the plants:
What is the independent variable (X-axis)? Fertilizer
What is the dependent variable (Y-axis)? Growth/height

4. Examples of Experiments 2
How does exercise affect heart rate of 10th grade student?
we set up an experiment testing different lengths of time of exercise (minutes) on the heart rate of students.
What is the independent variable (X-axis)?
TIME
What is the Dependent variable (Y-axis)? Heart rate

5. Making pictures out of data
Graphs
line graphs
graphing data that shows continuous change
bar graphs (or histograms)
graphing data that is in disconnected groups
How’s a critter to choose?

6. elevation (feet above sea level)
How does elevation affect temperature?
Line graph!
elevation (feet above sea level)
temp.
(°C) 30
500 25
1000 20
1500 15
2000 10
2500 5 30 25 20
temperature 15 10 5
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
elevation

7. Which drink do you like best?
number
Coke 1
Pepsi
Water 4
Iced tea
Gatorade 3 6
Bar graph! 5 4
number of students 3 2 1
Coke
Pepsi
water
tea
Gatorade
type of drink

8. Rules for Graphing Always use a pencil Independent variable- X axis
Dependent variable- Y axis
Always put a title on the graph
Use an appropriate scale for each axis
Create/Use a key if necessary

9. Any Questions??