Misleading Graphs

You have been given 3 pairs of graphs.

(Taken from Making Math Meaningful pg 509-510 and McGraw-Hill pg 333-334)

Look at the graphs closely.

1. What is different about the graphs in each pair?
2. Decide with your group which graph is more effective.

Be able to explain your

thinking.

Changing the scale or the interval can drastically affect the

way a graph looks.
This graph shows how the hourly pay rate at a store has
increased over a 5-year period.
Abed says that the
graph shows how fast
the rates have
increased. Aliya says
the rates havent gone
up that much in 5 years.

Who is correct? Why?

This graph shows..
-interval
-scale
-increasing
-compare

This graph shows the populations of jackrabbits and coyotes

for an area. What is deceiving about it?

This histograph shows the number of paper clips students

could clip together in 2 minutes.
Paper Clips in 2 Minutes
10-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
Number of Paper Clips Used
How would this graph change if you changed the intervals?