An Introduction to Graphing: An Essential Skill in Science
Practice Scenarios
1. A study was conducted on the feeding preferences of slugs. Specimens were fed a
variety of food sources and data were collected on number of grams of each type of
food eaten. Make a graph.
Food Source
Lettuce
Mushroom
Spinach
Apple
Peach
Orange
Food Eaten (g)
4.0
8.2
6.5
8.6
5.4
1.0
2. A study was undertaken to measure the effects of smoking on the rate of development
of lung cancer in both men and women. Make a graph.
Age Group
35-44
45-54
55-64
65-74
75-84
Annual Death Rate from Lung Cancer (per thousand)
Heavy Smokers (>1
All Smokers
Never Smoked
pack/day)
2.5
2.0
0.0
10.2
6.5
0.0
22.5
16.5
2.0
60.0
23.0
4.2
85.0
25.2
6.4
Rev7Aug2014
3. A study was conducted to compare the average height of males and females at a range of
ages. Make a graph.
Average Height in Centimeters
Males
109
119
133
138
157
169
177
177
Age
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
4.
Average Height in Centimeters
Females
109
119
133
145
160
162
162
163
During April, plankton tows (dragging a fine net under water) were made of Puget Sound
each day. The relative numbers of 2 types of organisms captured in the plankton net were
counted and are listed below. Make a graph.
Date in April
1
5
10
15
20
Rev7Aug2014
Number of zooplankton
32
33
43
192
240
Number of phytoplankton
380
525
706
910
956
5.
Baby chickens, like all baby birds, require a constant source of food. As chick grow, more
energy is required for daily activities, and their food requirements increase. The following
data table reports the average food eaten by a group of 10 chickens over a 5-day period.
Make a graph.
Day
0
1
2
3
4
5
Food Consumed (g)
0.0
1.0
3.2
6.5
10.6
15.4
a. Identify the independent and dependent variables.
b. Extrapolate how much grain the chicks will eat on days 6 & 7.
c. What type of relationship does the graph represent?
6. The data below summarizes the results of a scientific experiment on the effects of a growth
hormone (gibberellic acid) on plant height. A 0.1 M solution was used in all experiments.
Make a graph.
Gibberellic Acid (0.1 M) (mL)
Plant Height at 1 Week (cm)
20
30
40
50
60
18.5
20.7
45.2
62.3
10.6
a. Identify the independent and dependent variables.
b. Extrapolate the plant height at 10 mL and 25 mL gibberellic acid.
Rev7Aug2014
7. A science teacher conducted a study to examine the effect of student absence on
homework averages and the overall grade a student received. The data are shown
below. Make two graphs to examine how student absences affect these two
parameters.
Grade
72
64
71
77
54
81
55
75
76
93
63
87
60
72
76
51
33
80
94
57
74
80
28
89
82
60
Rev7Aug2014
Absences
11
35
12
17
11
29
16
18
8
22
19
1
11
12
1
27
35
4
0
53
2
28
69
7
16
34
Homework Average
84
63
92
80
38
67
55
30
79
88
50
93
54
64
69
41
17
88
100
62
74
64
17
87
92
50
8. A team of scientists wanted to test the effects of temperature on the germination rate of
pinto beans. They placed three sets of 100 pinto bean seeds in temperature controlled
chambers: Chamber A was set at 15o C, chamber B at 20oC, and chamber C at 25oC. Results
are shown in the table below. Make a graph.
Day
0
2
4
6
8
10
% Germination
(15o C)
0
2
10
20
20
35
% Germination
(20o C)
0
10
30
40
60
70
% Germination
(25o C)
0
10
50
80
90
90
a. Identify the independent and dependent variables.
b. Compare and contrast the growth rate of pinto beans at the different
temperatures. Summarize the results.
Rev7Aug2014