2. Graphs are pictures of information Graphs provide a fast and easy way to interpret data Why use Graphs?

3. Choosing the Right Graph It’s important to choose the type of graph that best illustrates your data: Bar GraphPie GraphLine Graph Best used for comparing data quickly and easily Best used for Showing percentages (Parts of a Whole) Best used for looking at changes over time (Trends)

4. Which type of graph would you use for the following data? FoodPercentage Preferring That Food Skippy’s Rabbit Chow32 Homemade Rabbit Food13 Happy Rabbit10 Joes Special Food for Rabbits44 Premium Rabbit Nutrition Diet1 Rabbit Dietary Preferences Type: Pie Graph. Why: Because there are percentages or parts of a whole.

5. Which type of graph would you use for the following data? MonthGrade September98 October94 November88 December78 January82 February83 March86 April81 Monthly Science Grades 2010-2011 Type: Line Graph. Why: Because there is a change over time.

6. Which type of graph would you use for the following data? Test Tube NumberpH 16.7 27.1 37.4 47.1 57.0 66.9 pH of Solutions – Unit 5 Chemistry Experiment Type: Bar Graph. Why: Because data is being compared.

7. Components of a Good Graph Graphs require the correct ingredients, or components, to make them readable and understandable. For bar graphs and lines graphs, first set up your x-axis and y-axis using a ruler. The x-axis is horizontal The y-axis is vertical x-axis y-axis

8. The Dependent Variable is the data collected during the experiment. It Responds to the change in the independent variable. This is placed on the Y-axis. The thing that is Manipulated by the experimenter, the Independent Variable, is placed on the X-axis. MIX DRY Components of a Good Graph

9. Next choose a scale for each of the axes. Select evenly spaced intervals that include all of your data. Always label your axis and include appropriate units where they apply. Profit (in US Dollars) Month 2010 4 th Quarter Profits Components of a Good Graph

10. Include a legend when necessary to further clarify your data. Legend Texas California Nevada Components of a Good Graph

11. Finally, give your graph a Title A title tells the reader what he or she is studying. A good title should explain the relationship between variables. Components of a Good Graph Texas California Nevada

12. Pie graphs are shaped like a circle. The size of each “slice” is determined by the percentage it will represent. On the a pie graph, the independent variable is whatever the slice of the pie represents, and the dependent variable is the size of the pie slice, the percentage of the whole it represents. Components of a Good Graph