Interpreting Charts and Graphs

transcript

In order to read and interpret graphs, it is important to understand what the parts of a graph tell us. Let’s start by looking at bar graphs.

Bar Graphs

Used to compare data between different groups

Allows you to make quick generalizations

A B C D F

Letter Grade

Unit 1 Test Results

A B C D F

Letter Grade

Unit 1 Test Results

Parts of a Bar Graph

uses keywords to tell what the graph is aboutTitle

Labels

Scaleshows the units used on the y axis

explains what kind of data is shown on the x and y axis

represent the data amount for each group

Now let’s take a look at what line graphs can tell us.

Line Graphs

Track change over time

Allows you to see small changes

Can see change for more than one group over the same time period. (multiple line graphs)

Raffle Tickets Sold by the 7th Grade Class

0 2 4 6 8

# of Tic

Raffle Tickets Sold by the 7th Grade Class

0 2 4 6 8

# of Tic

Parts of a Line Graphuses keywords to tell what the graph is aboutTitle

Labels

Scaleshows the units used on the y axis

explains what kind of data is shown on the x and y axis

Pointsrepresents the data amount

Lineconnects the data points

Now let’s take a look at what circle graphs can tell us.

Circle Graphs or Pie Charts

Allows you to compare parts of a whole

Pet Survey for 8th Grade

45%15%

Cats Dogs Cats and Dogs No Pets Fish

45%15%

Parts of a Circle Graph

uses keywords to tell what the graph is aboutTitle

Legend

explains what each sector or slice represents

Sectorsrepresents one part of the dataset

Let’s practice interpreting different types of graphs. The questions without multiple choice answers are questions to think about. Those questions with multiple choice answers need to be answered as directed by your teacher.

Building Name CityHeight

(ft)Height

(m)Sears Tower Chicago 1451 442

Aon Center Chicago 1136 346

Empire State Building New York 1250 381

John Hancock Center Chicago 1127 344

Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago 1362 415

Bank of America Tower New York 1200 366

Chrysler Building New York 1046 319This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts.

Becker, Lynn. "The World's Tallest Buildings - America's latest Outsourcing".

Think about the table. What does this table represent? How do you know? What clues are there that tell youabout the information in this chart?

Tallest Buildings in the United States

Sears Tow er Aon Center Empire StateBuilding

John HancockCenter

Trump InternationalHotel and Tow er

Bank of AmericaTow er

Chrysler Building

Building Name

Answer the following on a notebook piece of paper and turn in.

1. What does the graph show?a. time it took to build these buildings

b. tallest buildings in the world d. tallest buildings in the United States

c. cost of the tallest buildings in the United States

Look at the bar graph that was created from the previous table.

John HancockCenter

Chrysler Building

Building Name

2. Which is the tallest building in the United States?

a. Sears Tower

b. Aon Center d. Empire State Building

c. Trump International Hotel and Tower

John HancockCenter

Chrysler Building

Building Name

3. Which two buildings appear to be approximately the same height?a. Sears Tower and Trump International Hotel and Tower

b. Bank of America Tower and Sears Tower

d. Empire State Building and Chrysler Building

c. John Hancock Center and Aon Center

John HancockCenter

Chrysler Building

Building Name

4. The Chrysler Building is the shortest bar. Does this mean it is the shortest building in the United States?

a.Yes b.No

Harris County Population Growth

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

3,000,000

3,500,000

4,000,000

1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2010

5. What does the graph show?

a. population growth in Harris County

b. salary growth in Harris County d. number of people in each county

c. number of years Harris County has existed

Look at the line graph. Read each of the parts of the graph.

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

3,000,000

3,500,000

4,000,000

1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2010

6. What does the y axis represent on this line graph?

a. which year the population grew

b. number of people d. none of these

c. number of years

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

3,000,000

3,500,000

4,000,000

1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2010

7. What can not be determined by looking at this graph?

a. between which decade the population increased

b. the approximate number of people in Harris County in 2000

d. that the population more than doubled between 1940 and 1960

c. the population of Houston in 1880

8. Which table below best represents the circle graph?

Look at the circle graph. Read each part of the graph.

Summer Activities

Hanging Out with Friends Going on Vacation Going swimming

Activity Number of Students

Hanging out with friends

Going on Vacation

Going swimming

Going on Vacation

Going swimming

Going on Vacation

Going swimming

Going on Vacation

Going swimming

A. B. C. D.

9. What can not be determined by looking at this graph?

a. the number of people surveyed

b. the percentage of 8th graders who have dogs

d. ¼ of the 8th graders surveyed have no pets

c. twice as many people have cats rather than fish

Look at the circle graph. Read each part of the graph.

45%15%

10. Which type of graph would you choose to show ticket sales over a period of time?

a. bar graph

b. line graph d. none of these

c. circle graph

11. Which type of graph would best display what percent of the athletic shoe industry is dominated by Nike?

a. bar graph

b. line graph

d. none of these

c. circle graph

Sneakers Sold This Month

Brand Name

Number Sold

Adidas 25

Nike 32

Reebok 10

Asics 18

Other 15

Total 100

12. Which type of graph would best display the number sold for each company?

a. bar graph

b. line graph

d. none of these

c. circle graph

Sneakers Sold This Month

Brand Name

Number Sold

Adidas 25

Nike 32

Reebok 10

Asics 18

Other 15

Total 100

Interpreting Charts and Graphs

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