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Title:

Describes the Data

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Independent Variable:

Controlled by the scientist/experimenter

Goes on the X-axis (horizontal)

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Dependent Variable:

Directly affected by the independent variable

Goes on the Y-axis (vertical)

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Scales:

Use as much of the graphing �space as possible

*don’t always have to start with zero*

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Legend (aka Key):

Is a key for what is being graphed

Generally, is color coded

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Title:

UM Freshmen High School Grade Point Average

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Independent Variable:

Years

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Dependent Variable:

GPA

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When should line graphs be used?

-When data is continuous

-Each independent data point is related to the next

(showing a trend)

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Years

GPA

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Title:

Students’ Favorite Juices

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Independent Variable:

Juices

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Dependent Variable:

Number of Students

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When should bar graphs be used?

-When data is NOT continuous

-Each independent variable data point is NOT related to the next

(NOT showing a trend)

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Title:

Population by Major Ethnic Groups

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Independent Variable:

Ethnic Groups

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Dependent Variable:

Percentages

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When should pie charts be used?

To highlight various data as a percent of the total data

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Graph Practice #1

6 of 8

Graph Practice #2

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Graph Practice #3

Composition of Lunar Soil

Relative Concentration (in percent by mass)

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Graph Practice #4