Using Graphs to Show Information

Why use graphs?Have you ever wondered why we

use graphs?

What is it that a graph is telling you?

Graphs are used for many different reasons, and can be

found all over.

We see them in the newspapers, magazines, and on

television because they help us to communicate information.

Many different types of graphs exist, and each has something different about it that makes it

useful in a unique way.

The types of graphs that we will be looking at are:

•Line graphs•Bar Graphs

Bar Graphs•We can look at graphs and then draw

conclusions or make predictions about them.

•A bar graph is used to show and compare data for different categories.

Bar Graph

•There are two axes(plural for axis) on each graph. The vertical axis runs up and down while the horizontal axis runs side to side. Both need to be labeled so that we know what they stand for.

Vertical Axis: Shows number of

studentsHorizontal

Axis:Shows fruit

•Each category has its own bar that is labeled in the graph. The length of the bar shows the amount it is representing.

Bar showing amount

•A line graph is used to show how a variable has changed over time.

Line Graph

•The horizontal axis represents the change in data.

•The vertical axis represents the amount of time the changes take place.

Vertical Axis: Amount of time Horizontal

Axis: The change