Types of Graphs

Pie charts are an easy way to visualize percentages. They are useful for analyzing polls, statistics, and managing time or money.

Steps:

  1. Organize your data.
  2. Add it all together. Add all of the numbers to get a denominator.
  3. Then find the numerator. Find the numerators by taking each part of the data, these are your numerators.
  4. Convert to a percentage.
  5. Find the angle. Multiply the percent by 3.60 to get an angle.
  6. Use the compass to draw your circle.
  7. Draw each section. Draw the sections by using the angles you got in step five.

Tips:

  1. Remember that all good graphs have a title and labels.
  2. Add the name of the section and the percent they represent to the chart (a key).
  3. Color each section of the pie chart a different color to easily visualize the results.

Scatter Plot Graphs are a way to show groups of data and find a “line of best fit” throughout the data. They are useful for showing a comparison between two different types of data (height vs. weight).

Steps:

  1. Organize your data.
  2. Determine the two categories of data.
  3. Typically the x axis is anything that has to do with time and the y axis is the other data.
  4. Once the axis titles are determined, you have to figure out how you are going to display your data (ex. Every line equals 2). For each axis find your largest number and then find out how many lines you have to graph with. Divide you largest number by the amount of lines. Whatever you answer is round up so that you have enough room at the end of the graph to plot all your points.
  5. (Ex. 72 is my largest number. I have 10 lines to graph with. I will divide 72/10=7.2 so I will make every line worth 8 on that axis)
  6. Plot your data according to the axes.
  7. Make sure to add your title and axis labels.
  8. If needed you may add a line of best fit.

Bar Graphs are a way to show categories of data in a graph format. They are useful to show a variety of types of a category vs. amount or time (ex type of sport vs. number of students who like that sport).

Steps:

  1. Organize your data.
  2. Determine the two categories of data.
  3. The x axis is going to be your categories and the y axis is going to be what you are measuring.
  4. Once the axis titles are determined, you have to figure out how you are going to display your data (ex. Every line equals 2). For the y axis find your largest number and then find out how many lines you have to graph with. Divide you largest number by the amount of lines. Whatever you answer is round up so that you have enough room at the end of the graph to plot all your points.
  5. (Ex. 72 is my largest number. I have 10 lines to graph with. I will divide 72/10=7.2 so I will make every line worth 8 on that axis)
  6. For your x axis write out your categories.
  7. Plot your data by drawing a horizontal line at the height which indicates that categories corresponding data. Make two vertical lines down to make a standing up rectangle.
  8. Make sure to add your title and axis labels.

Sideways Bar Graphs are a way to show categories of data in a graph format. They are useful to show a variety of types of a category vs. amount or time (ex type of sport vs. number of students who like that sport).

Steps:

  1. Organize your data.
  2. Determine the two categories of data.
  3. The y axis is going to be your categories and the x axis is going to be what you are measuring.
  4. Once the axis titles are determined, you have to figure out how you are going to display your data (ex. Every line equals 2). For the x axis find your largest number and then find out how many lines you have to graph with. Divide you largest number by the amount of lines. Whatever you answer is round up so that you have enough room at the end of the graph to plot all your points.
  5. (Ex. 72 is my largest number. I have 10 lines to graph with. I will divide 72/10=7.2 so I will make every line worth 8 on that axis)
  6. For your y axis write out your categories.
  7. Plot your data by drawing a vertical line at the height which indicates that categories corresponding data. Make two horizontal lines across to make a laying down rectangle.
  8. Make sure to add your title and axis labels.

Data Charts/Tables are a way to show data in an organized way. They are useful for quantitative and qualitative data.

Steps:

  1. Organize your data. Decide how many columns and rows you will need to record your data.
  2. Give you data table a title that identifies your variables. (ex. My Weeks Physical Activity Log)
  3. Label the column on the left as the independent variable. (ex Activity) Underneath, list the types of activity you used for the independent variables (ex. Walking, basketball, swimming).
  4. Label the columns to the right as the dependent variable (ex. Minutes). The columns underneath will sow the specifics of that category (ex. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).
  5. Record the corresponding data in the space provided.
  6. In needed include average to the far right of the chart.

Example:

My Week's Physical Activity Log

Minutes

ACTIVITY MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT SUN TOTAL AVERAGE

WALKING 15 10 15 10 10 40 40 140 20

BASKETBALL 120 0 0 0 55 0 0 175 25

SWIMMING 0 30 0 25 0 0 15 70 10

DANCING 0 0 0 0 0 49 0 49 7