Name ______Date______Per ______

Graphing Practice

Graphs are used to show numerical information in a use format. Graphs help us to understand and interpret data. They can be powerful tools for examining cycles and trends. The 3 main types are circle graphs, line graphs, and bar graphs.

List the 5 things every graph must have:

1.- 3.- 5.-

2.- 4.-

Part 1: Line Graph

What is a line graph useful for?

Construct a line graph using the data below to show how the population of the United States changed between 1880 and 1990. (Which are the independent and dependent variables? Remember they each have a special place on the graph.)

Year / Population (in millions)
1881 / 50
1890 / 63
1900 / 76
1910 / 92
1920 / 106
1930 / 123
1940 / 132
1950 / 151
1960 / 179
1970 / 203
1980 / 227
1990 / 251

Part 2: Bar Graph

What is a bar graph useful for?

Construct a bar graph to compare values of precipitation in Hartford, Connecticut between April 1st and April 15th.

Date / Precip. (cm)
4/1 / 0.5
4/2 / 1.25
4/3 / 0.0
4/4 / 0.0
4/5 / 0.0
4/6 / 0.0
4/7 / 0.0
4/8 / 1.75
4/9 / 0.25
4/10 / 0.0
4/11 / 1.0
4/12 / 0.0
4/13 / 0.25
4/14 / 0.0
4/15 / 2.25

Part 3: Circle Graph

What is a circle graph useful for?

Construct a circle graph that indicates the percentage each animal is of the total zoo population.

(Don’t forget a Key)

Animal / Population
Baboon / 25
Elephant / 35
Leopard / 12
Tiger / 16
Giraffe / 12
Total / 100

Part 4: Units of measurement (multiple choice)

Definition Measuring Device Unit

Mass ______A. ºC B. scale C. meter stick

Volume ______D. liter E. meter F. distance

Length ______G. the amount of matter in an object

Temperature ______H. how hot or cold an object is

I. gram J. thermometer K. graduated Cylinder L. the amount of space an object occupies3

Questions

1.  What is the definition of a variable?

2.  What is the difference between an independent and dependant variable?

3.  Which 2 animals make up the largest percentage of the population?

4.  Predict what the population of the United States will be in the year 2010?

5.  Use your graph to determine the approximate population of the United States in 1935, 1945, and 1985.

6.  In a line graph which variable is USUALLY on the x-axis? The y-axis?

7.  According to the graph you made, how many centimeters of rain fell in Hartford on April 11th?

8.  Could your bar graph be used to predict the precipitation for April 20th?