Graphs

A way of representing information so the information can be

compared.

Graphs are usually used for comparison, but they

can be used to make predictions.

Graphs are also a way of organizing information

and recording information, but that is

not the main purpose of graphs.

Required Parts of a Graph

• X axis

• Yaxis

When making a graph, most people place the X axis on the bottom and the Y axis along the left

side. However, not every graph has to be that way.

Some graphs place the X axis on top or the Y axis

on the right side. Sometimes there is more than one Y axis or X axis.

Do not let this confuse you. You read the graph

the same way.

Needed Parts of a Graph

• Title

• Labels

• Scale

TitleA title informs the reader

of the graph what the graph is showing.

Sometimes you cannot tell by just looking at the

graph.

LabelsLabels shows what each

part of the graph represents. Very important to label the X axis and Y axis. Other labels are up

to the maker. Keep it neat.

ScaleSomething divided into

regular spaces for measuring.

Very important when using a scale to keep the

numbers regularly spaced. You can go 5, 10, 15, 20 or 1, 2, 3, 4 or 2, 4, 6, 8 or 20, 30, 40, 50. Do

not just write the numbers you have, for

example 22, 37, 45, 77, 93.

Some people say that when making a graph, you have to start the scale with 0. You do not. There also a way to shorten a scale when numbers are really

far apart.

Types of Graphs

• Line Graph

• Bar Graph

• Circle Graph or Pie Chart

• Scattergraph

Line Graphs

Graphs designed to show a direct

relationship between 2 or more characteristics

Line Graphs

Line graphs can be used to make

predictions

Bar Graphs

Used to show comparisons

Histogram

A type of bar graph in which the bars are

connected in order to show a trend.

Pie Chart

Used to show the comparison of parts of

a whole

Scattergraph

Used to show the probability of two characteristics.

TablesWay of organizing

information.

Parts of a Table• Title

• Rows

• Columns

In order to make a table, you must be able to

arrange the information into rows and columns so

they intersect.

You can not make a table out of any information.

They must be related close enough to form intersecting rows and

columns.

Most of the time, the rows and columns have labels to identify what you are

looking at. However, they do not have to have

labels.

Concept MapA way of organizing

information that is not closely related

Concept maps are read like a road map. Your follow the lines to the

next point. Just like you follow a road to a specific

point.

As long as the points are connected by a line, then the information is related.

If the points are not connected by a line, then

the information is not related.

To see how information is described, follow the

lines to the next point. The next point is a subcategory of the

previous point.

The next point is part of the previous point,

however the previous point is not part of the

next point.

One liter of water was heated and its temperature was recorded every minute for six minutes. The results are shown on the graph. According to the graph, between the second and fourth minutes, the temperature rose

40o

The graph shows the seasonal change in the population of a certain species of insect. During which month did the population reach its peak?

September

According to this pyramid, which group of organisms has the LEAST available energy?

Octopuses

Which of these organisms was the primary consumer?

Rabbit

The tuna could be classified as a

Tertiary Consumer

Best Fit Line

A line used in a graph to determine the average of the data. The slope of the

line is used to find information. Also known as

linear fit.