Graphing 101
Graphing
basics
• Use: graph paper
a ruler
a pencil (be neat)
• Connect data points using a
line or curve of best fit
Setting
up a
graph
DRY
Dependent or
Resultant variable
on the Y-axis
MIX
Manipulated or
Independent variable
on the X-axis
Labeling
graphs
• X and Y axis - what was
measured & (unit of
measurement)
• First data point - on, or one
line in from, the y-axis
• Descriptive title - states what
is on both axes
– You can use “dependent
variable vs. independent
variable”
Plan
intervals
• Space equally
• Determine total
range of numbers
– divide by the
number of lines
on your axis, then
round up to the
closest number
that is easy to
work with
Types of
graphs
• Line graph: graphing change
over time
• Bar graph: comparing data of
different groups
• Pie chart: comparing parts of a
whole (% that add to 100)
US population by state
• Other types
Set up a graph for each and include ALL
graphing requirements.
If appropriate, add a line that predicts what the
data would look like.
• Average monthly temperature in RI over 12
months
• Types of birds at a bird feeder in December –
chickadee (35%), mourning dove (10%), blue
jay (40%), nuthatch (5%), cardinal (10%)
• Polar bear population over the past 20 years