1. Chapter 1, Section 3: Communicating with Graphs
(C.P. Exploring Science)

2. GRAPHS A visual display of information or data Why use graphs?
They show patterns in data better than a table

3. GRAPHS Graphs make understanding the data easier
With graphs, you can see patterns and trends and make conclusions

4. AP Examinee Population
Race/Ethnicity
AP Examinee Population
Asian, Asian American or Pacific Islander
10.2%
Black or African American
8.2%
Hispanic or Latino
15.5%
American Indian or Alaska Native
0.6%
White
59.4%
Not reported/other
6.1%
Which display is easier to understand?

5. GRAPHS
What are the three common types of graphs?
LINE, BAR, CIRCLE

6. LINE GRAPHS
Show the relationship of how the dependent variable changes due to changes in the independent variable

7. LINE GRAPHS
You can show more than one event on the same graph as long as the relationship is the same
NEEDS A KEY!

8. CONSTRUCTING LINE GRAPHS
x-axis is the Independent Variable
y-axis is the Dependent Variable

9. CONSTRUCTING LINE GRAPHS
Because the points are RELATED, connect them
This is how you can tell if a line graph is most appropriate. If you are not looking to see CHANGE then you don’t need a line graph.
Should this be a line graph?
NO! There is no relationship in the change. It should be a bar graph.

10. CONSTRUCTING LINE GRAPHS
MEASUREMENT – all should be in the SAME unit and be sure your divisions make sense.
Use a “break” if you need it.

11. BAR GRAPHS
Used to compare TOTALS that don’t need to show change over time
Show comparisons of quantities counted at a particular time.

12. BAR GRAPHS Multiple bar graphs show two or more sets of data:
Like a multiple line graph, you will need a key.

13. CIRCLE (PIE) GRAPHS
Show how some fixed quantity is broken down into parts
The whole circle represents the total
The slices represent the PERCENTAGES of the total

14. CIRCLE (PIE) GRAPHS
To create a circle graph, start with the total and divide each part by the total and multiply by 360⁰ to find the angle the slice will occupy
FOR EXAMPLE: if the total number of grades counted were 100 and the number of A’s were 31, to get the size angle A’s occupy would be:
31 ÷ 100 × 360⁰ = 112⁰ (size of the slice for A’s)

15. WHAT’S WRONG WITH THESE GRAPHS???

16. WHAT’S WRONG WITH THESE GRAPHS???

17. WHAT’S WRONG WITH THESE GRAPHS???

18. WHAT’S WRONG WITH THESE GRAPHS???