Graphing Skills

Which graph goes with the data set?

• Graph A

• Graph B

• Graph C

• Graph D

Answer explanation

Explanation: Graph D is the only graph that matches the data set. It shows correct values for the pig (340 kg), horse (520 kg), cow (590 kg), and sheep (90 kg). Graph A is incorrect because it mixes up the values-it shows a pig mass of 590 kg, a horse mass of 90 kg, a cow mass of 520 kg and a sheep mass of 340 kg. In graph B each bar has a value that is 100 kilograms less than the correct value. In graph C the pig mass is less than 300 kg, the horse mass is less than 500 kg, the pig mass is more than 600 kg, and the sheep mass is more than 100 kg.

The graph below is based on the "Rat in a maze data" at left. What is wrong with the graph?

• the graph has no title.

• there are no units on the vertical axis label.

• a poor choice of scale was made for the vertical axis.

• All of the above

Answer explanation

Did you know that kangaroos can't jump backwards.... The more you know.

Explanation: The points on the graph were all placed correctly, but the student made several errors. Graphs need a title to indicate what the graph represents. Units are needed to so that readers understand the numbers on the graph. A time of 49 seconds is very different from a time of 49 days! The vertical axis should be scaled so that all of the data just fits on the graph. In this case a maximum value of 50 seconds on the vertical axis would have been a better choice.

What is the best type of graph for the data set below?

• bar graph

• line graph

• pie chart

• scatter plot

Answer explanation

You can pick your friends. You can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friends nose.

--a quote by Mohamed Kieta.

Explanation: The data set shows percentage data. The most common type of graph for showing percentage data is a pie chart.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

Four students graphed the data below (orange = carrot, green = pepper). Which graph is correct?

• Graph A

• Graph B

• Graph C

• Graph D

Answer explanation

Explanation: In each graph the horizontal axis represents mass (in grams), and the vertical axis represents calories. Graphs C and D are the only graphs that show a correct mass of 80 grams for the carrot (orange dot) and 140 grams for the bell pepper (green dot). Graph C is the only graph that shows 40 calories for the carrot and 30 calories for the bell pepper.

Eight college students recorded how many hours they exercised every week. Then they measured their pulse (heartbeats per minute) while they were resting. What does the graph show?

• The more you exercise, the higher your resting pulse.

• The more you exercise, the lower your resting pulse.

• Exercise has no effect on your resting pulse.

• All of the college students had the same resting pulse.

Answer explanation

Explanation: The college students who exercised the most also had the lowest resting pulses. The college students who exercised the least had the highest resting pulses. This is an example of a negative relationship: As time spent exercising increases, the resting pulse tends to decrease.