Misleading Graphs

Which graph could be used to indicate a greater increase in the number of books checked out? Why?

• Bar graph, because it looks like a 100% increase, while the picture graph looks like a smaller increase

• Picture graph, because the bars in the bar graph are appropriate, while the picture graph shows difference in the size of the books

• Both the graphs show greater increase

• They should use a more relevant graph to answer the question

Which graph can Paul use to show his aunt that he spends more time on homework than play? Explain.

• The bar graph, because the bar corresponding to homework is double the size for play

• The circle graph, because each sector in the circle graph is drawn appropriately

• Both of the graphs show 100% more time no homework than play

• We cannot make a determination

Ken feels that the bar graph is more appropriate than the picture graph to show the increase in his salary from the 2000 to 2001. Choose a valid reason as to why he is right.

• The salary in the year 2001 is double that of 2000, which matches the size of the bars in the bar graph.

• Ken is wrong, the picture graph is more appropriate.

• The bars in the graph does not make the difference in the annual income look as large as the picture graph

• The salary in the year 2000 is double that of 2001, which matches the size of the bars in the bar graph

The graphs show the number of motorbikes sold each year by a particular automobile dealer. Which one of these graphs is misleading and why?

• Graph 1 is misleading, because it appears to show a more rapid decrease in sales than graph2 since they did not start the vertical axis (y-axis) at 0

• Graph 2 is misleading, because the vertical scale use there contains multiples of 40.

• Both graphs are correct and not misleading

• We cannot make a determination from these graphs

The two graphs show the annual snowfall in a city in the years 2001 and 2002. Which graph gives the impression that the snowfall in the year 2002 is more than twice as much as 2001? Explain why it is misleading .

• Graph 2 is misleading, because the differences between 2001 and 2002 are exaggerated

• Graph 1 is misleading, because the vertical scale (y-axis) is truncated

• Graph 2 is misleading, because the two bars are not the same size

• Both graphs are correct and aren't misleading

The graph represents the scores of four students in an examination. Tell whether the graph is misleading or not and why.

• No, it represents the data clearly

• Yes, because the vertical (y-axis) increases by 5% instead of by 1%

• Yes, because the vertical (y-axis) does not start at 0

The graph represents the number of toys sold each month in a toy shop. Why is the graph misleading?

• Due to a broken scale

• The number of toys sold after May is not known

• Uneven spacing on the horizontal axis (x-axis)

• None of the above

Why is the graph misleading?

• Vertical axis (y-axis) does not start at 0

• Uneven values on the vertical axis (y-axis)

• Unequal spacing of lines

• Horizontal axis (x-axis) does not start at 0

Do the two graphs plot the same data?

• Yes

• No

The graph shows the rainfall in October and November at some location. Is the graph misleading?

• Yes, because the vertical (y-axis) doesn't start at 0

• Yes, because it makes it look like November's rainfall is twice as much as October, but it isn't

• Yes, because none of the other months are shown

• No, it's not misleading since the vertical (y-axis) zero-break