1. In what situations do we use each type of graph?
APPROPRIATE GRAPHS
In what situations do we use each type of graph?

2. SCENARIO #1
You have been asked to graph the populations of the 6 largest Native American tribes in the United States.
Would you use a stem-and-leaf plot or a bar graph to display the data? Why?

3. Would you use a line graph or stem-and-leaf plot? Why?
SCENARIO #2
You are going to make a graph of some sixth grade students’ math test scores using the data below.
Would you use a line graph or stem-and-leaf plot? Why?

4. Would you use a line plot or a line graph? Why?
SCENARIO #3
You have been asked to graph the height of a sunflower plant every week for a month.
Would you use a line plot or a line graph? Why?

5. SCENARIO #4 The table shows the heights of some sixth grade students.
Would a bar graph or a line plot better display the data? Why?

6. Would you use a line plot or a bar graph? Why?
SCENARIO #5
You have been asked to graph how many times the ten most popular songs of the week have been downloaded.
Would you use a line plot or a bar graph? Why?

7. SCENARIO #6
Patrick is keeping a frequency table of how many times he carries the football each game this season.
Would the data best be displayed using a line graph or a histogram? Why?
0 - 4
5 – 9
10 – 14
15 – 19
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8. People leaving a movie theater were asked their age.
SCENARIO #7
People leaving a movie theater were asked their age.
Customers’ Ages 42 11 13 15 22 31 40 12 17 20 33 16 24
Would you use a use a line graph or a stem-and-leaf plot to display the data? Why?

9. Would a line plot or a histogram better display the data? Why?
SCENARIO #8
You have been asked to graph the amount of money in sixth graders’ lunch accounts. You are going to use intervals of $10.00.
Would a line plot or a histogram better display the data? Why?

10. Would a line graph or a bar graph better display the data? Why?
SCENARIO #9
The table shows the average temperature for San Diego for a six month period.
Would a line graph or a bar graph better display the data? Why?

11. Would a line plot or a pictograph be the more appropriate graph? Why?
SCENARIO #10
The following data table shows the results of a survey about students’ favorite after school snack.
Would a line plot or a pictograph be the more appropriate graph? Why?

12. Answers…
1. A bar graph is more appropriate because you have different categories. Bar graphs can be used to display categorical data.
2. A stem-and-leaf plot would be better because you want to see the numbers in order and see how the numbers are distributed. A line graph would show you change over time, and there is no time in this situation.

13. Answers…
3. A line graph because you are showing growth over one month. Line graphs are used to show change over time.
4. A line plot because they are used to show how many times each number occurs.
5. A bar graph because you would use categories (the song titles) of data.
6. A histogram because Patrick used intervals to keep track of his data. Only a histogram uses intervals of numbers.

14. Answers...
7. A stem-and-leaf plot because you want to see the distribution of the numbers. A line graph wouldn’t work because you aren’t showing any change over time.
8. A histogram because you are using intervals of ten dollars.
9. A line graph because you are showing change in temperature over a 6-month span.
10. A pictograph because you have categories of snacks. Only bar graphs and pictographs display categorical data.