Holy Graphs Batman!!

cowbirds in love

Essential Question

How do we construct, use and interpret graphs?

After this you will be able to….

1. Identify the Title, Dependent Variable, Independent

Variable on a graph

2. Construct a graph with the appropriate Range and Scale

3. Name the 4 major types of graphs and list their uses

4. Read graphs of everything Earth Science-y!!!

1. DRAW THE AXIS

How to GraphY-

Axis

X-Axis

1. DRAW THE AXIS

How to GraphY-

Axis

X-Axis

YOUR TURN NOW

How to Graph2. CHOOSE A RANGE

For each variable, x and y, take the largest

number in the data set and subtract the lowest number in the data set.X-Axis: 2, 4, 4, 6, 7, 10, 10, 11, 11, 11, 14, 16 Range?

Y-Axis: 5, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Range?

2. CHOOSE A RANGE

X-Axis: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

Range?

Y-Axis: 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 15

Range?

How to Graph

YOUR TURN NOW

How to Graph3. DETERMINE THE SCALE

Divide the range for an axis by the number of graph squares available on the axis.

Range: 10 # Squares: 5 Scale?

Remember: you want to use as much of the graph as you can

3. DETERMINE THE SCALE

Range: 15

# Squares: 5

Scale? Range: 50

# Squares: 5

Scale?

How to Graph

YOUR TURN NOW

How to Graph4. LABEL EACH AXISMake sure you label with the quantity and

unit being graphed. Remember: DRY MIX

DRYDependent (Responding) variable = Y-

axis

MIX(Manipulating) Independent variable = X-

axis

How to Graph5. TITLE YOUR GRAPH

Titles should be short, descriptive, and easy to spot.

They are usually written…

Y-Axis vs. X-Axis or Dependent Variable vs. Independent

Variable

5. TITLE YOUR GRAPH

X-Axis: Average Global Temperature

Y-Axis: Atmospheric CO2

Title?

How to Graph

YOUR TURN NOW

How to Graph6. PLOT EACH DATA POINT

Find the X-Axis Coordinate

Move in a straight line up to the Y-Axis Coordinate

Hint: When graphing multiple trials or data sets on one graph use different colors or symbols

6. PLOT EACH DATA POINT

How to Graph

YOUR TURN NOW

X-Axis Y-Axis

3 5

7 9

10 1

Types of GraphsBar Graph Line Graph

Pie Chart

X-Y Scatter Graph Pictograph

So Now What?!

Scientists use graphs to…1. Analyze and understand their own data2. Condense information to make data

manageable 3. Identify trends across data sets 4. Communicate their findings with others