Communicating With Graphs

Main Types of Graphs

In science, we will use three main types of graphs to communicate data:Line GraphsCircle GraphsBar Graphs

Every graph is different, and shows data differently.

Bar Graphs

Key ComponentsTitlesBarsKeyColor

Useful in graphing trends in dataNumber of internet users vs. the day of the weekNumber of pets per student in the classroom

Useful when putting data into categoriesType of movie vs. how many were released in 2013

Circle Graph

Key ComponentsPercentsCircleKeyTitles

Pie charts are useful for data that represents part of a whole.EX: Out of our entire class, what is your favorite

color, movie category, month….

Line Graphs

Key ComponentsTitlesLine!KeyColor

Show a change in data over time.EX: Amount of rainfall in inches over a year.

Speed of a car

What makes a good graph? What do you think? Write a few notes down!

Cat Dog Fish Pig Horse0

5

10

15

20

25

Number of Pets in 1st Period

Type of Pet

Num

ber

of

Pets

Animals

Was this a good graph?

Cat Dog Fish Pig Horse0

5

10

15

20

25

Number of Pets in 1st Period

Type of Pet

Num

ber

of

Pets

Animals

Good Bar/Line Graphs Should Have:

A title – describes what the graph is showing

X + Y Axis titles

X + Y Axis data X = category (cat, dog, bird, fish) Y = numbers (count by 1, 2, 5, 10, whatever makes

sense)

Color

Key

Neatness!

What about Circle Graphs? What does this graph have? Is it missing anything?

What about Circle Graphs? What does this graph have? Is it missing anything?

Circle Graphs Need

A circle

100 % - You must account for all 100%, not 45%, a whole 100%

A Key

Color

Titles! – the title should explain what you are looking at on the graph.

Practice! What is the graph missing?

Practice! What is the graph missing?

Practice! What is the graph missing?

Practice! What is the graph missing?