Interpreting Data from Tables and
Graphs
What are Tables and Graphs
 Tables and graphs are visual representations.
 They are used to organize information to show
patterns and relationships.
 A graph shows information by representing it as a
shape.
 Scientists use tables and graphs to record data
 Not only used in science
Importance of Tables and Graphs
 As a source of evidence, or as a way of exploring
patterns and relationships in data or information.
The Problem
 extracting and interpreting information
 Identifying trends
 Reading the title
 Labeling correctly
Collect Data First
 The data comes first
 Then you organize the data, usually in a table.
 Then figure out which graph to draw
What is a Table?
• an organizer for an
Good Title
investigation
• a way of
presenting data in
a report
• independent
variables go in the
left hand columns
• dependent
variables on the
right.
Should be able to see numerical relationships
and patterns. A graph may make these clearer.
Graphs
 Are a way of exploring the relationships in data
 Graphs display the data and are a way to report the
data
 Graphs make it easier to see
 Patterns, relationships, distributions and trends of the data
 Main types of Graphs
 Line
 Bar
 Pie Charts
 Scatter Plot
Bar Graphs
 Comparing two groups or more than two groups
 Many times the bar will represent an average
 Bar graphs contain categories
Line Graph
 Used to show change over time
 Connect the dots with a line
Scatter Plot
 Shows correlation of variables
 How much one variable is affected by the other
 Their relationship is a correlation
 Do not connect the dots
Pie Chart
 Show parts of the whole
How to Draw? – Honors ONLY
Check out this YouTube video from Bozeman
science on Tables and Graphs
http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/graphs/images/line_example2.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NkT-oYPkOA
Reading Graphs
Orient yourself with the X and Y axis
pH influence on enzyme activity
X axis (independent variable) is
the strength of pH
Y axis (dependent variable) is
the percent of the enzyme
activity. At the top 100% of the
enzyme is at work
Look at the intervals or scale of
the data
Also: Read the title. This will
tell you what the graph data is
showing
Reading Graphs
Identify the Trends of the Chart
Understand the
relationships
• Pepsin peaks around
pH of 2
• Enzyme “Green”
peaks around pH of
6.8
• Enzyme “Blue” peaks
around pH of 8
Question?
Which enzyme works best at pH 3?
You have to start on the X axis go to pH 3, then travel up the Y axis to see which
enzyme has the highest percentage. So we would pick? Enzyme Pepsin (red)
Question?
What is the optimum pH for enzyme Trypsin?
Now you have to start on the Y axis and go to the highest peak on Trypsin, then follow this down
to the X axis. The answer is? pH 8
Questions: Try to answer the
question on your own before
looking at any choices. That way
you won’t be swayed to change
your answer, or become confused.
Question: What is the order of enzyme
activity from greatest to least at pH 6?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Green, Red , Blue
Blue, Red, Green
Red, Blue, Green
Green, Blue, Red
What does this chart tell us?
Look at the arrow, what is the overall
trend?
What do you think these arrows
represent in the data?
Question?
Number of families is along the Y axis. So go to the Y axis and go across to
the highest point on the graph. That leads you to the Tertiary Period.
At which point did the largest extinction
occur?
See next slide
Look at each extinction point. This one
has the largest dip.
A. Is the correct answer.
End of Permian Period
This link takes you to a YouTube
version of these examples
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSvKkXkjJ9I
Answer the following
Bar Graph
Bar graphs are usually easier to read. Make sure you look at each axis
and the labels.
A question for this graph might be:
Which month had the lowest recorded temperature in 2004?
Tables
usually pretty easy to read
Which pH produced the most average plant growth?
What is the range of pH producing the optimum growth
for plants?