1. Graphing Data in Science Looking for a pattern

2. Why use a graph? Easier to analyze data Visualize patterns in the data Looks for trends

3. Basic Types of Graphs Line graphs Bar graphs Pie charts

4. Which graph to Use?

5. Line graphs are usually used to show a change in a variable as compared to another variable. Pie graphs are usually used to compare values which all add up to 100%. Bar graphs are usually use to compare values.

6. Pie Charts What portion of the total does a part make up? A pie graph allows us to compare parts of the whole with each other, or the fraction of the whole each part makes up. Fractions or percentages

7. Bar Graph How different are the variable to each other? Bar graphs look for differences among similar things They compare different variables

8. Line Graphs How does a variable change over time? Given one variable, the other can be determined. Show trends Can make predictions about data not recorded.

9. All Graphs Must Have A title at the top of the graph Labels with units for both axes if it is a line graph or bar graph A Key if it is a pie graph or bar graph

10. Setting Up a Line Graph Independent variable - quantity that deliberately varied. ( One you have control over) Plotted on the horizontal axis Referred to ordinate Dependent variable - quantity that changes due to variation in the independent variable.( One you don’t have control over) Plotted on the vertical axis Referred abscissa