Graphing

101

Graphin
g basics

Use: graph paper

a ruler
a pencil (be neat)
Connect data points
using a line or curve of
best fit

Setting
up a
graph

DRY
Dependent or
Resultant
variable on the
Y-axis

MIX
Manipulated or
Independent
variable on the Xaxis

Labelin
g
graphs

X and Y axis - what was

measured & (unit of
measurement)
First data point - on, or
one line in from, the yaxis
Descriptive title - states
what is on both axes
You can use dependent
variable vs. independent
variable

Plan
interva
ls

Space equally
Determine
total range of
numbers
divide by the
number of
lines on your
axis, then
round up to
the closest
number that is

Types of
graphs

Line graph: graphing

change over time
Bar graph: comparing
data of different groups
Pie chart: comparing
parts of a whole (% that
add to 100)

US population by state

 Other types

Set up a graph for each and

include ALL graphing
requirements.
If appropriate, add a line that
predicts what the data would look
like.
Average monthly temperature in RI
over 12 months
Types of birds at a bird feeder in
December chickadee (35%),
mourning dove (10%), blue jay
(40%), nuthatch (5%), cardinal (10%)
Polar bear population over the past