Graphing Reference
Main Label for Graph Goes Here
Key/Legend only if you need it
= label
= label
Y-axis Label Goes Here
This rectangle shows where you put
the numbers for a graph. You must
use equal and appropriate increments
when numbering up.
Be sure to use the entire graph
Graph Checklist
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Have all 3 labels
Properly number your y-axis
Sub-labels for x-axis
Do you need a key/legend
Is it neat
Is it easy to understand
Spacing should be equally spread across the x-axis
0
Sub-labels
for the bars
Always start with
zero at this point
Sub-labels
for the bars
Sub-labels
for the bars
X-axis Label Goes Here
Sub-labels
for the bars
Bar Graph
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Shows a comparison of data that has different categories.
Typically graphs discontinuous data.
The first bar CANNOT TOUCH THE Y-AXIS
The bars should be equally spaced on the x-axis
Use the same color for all bars
The front page lays out what a bar graph should look like
Double Bar Graph
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Are used for when each data group contains two different sets of data.
The bars for both sets of data are next to each other (touching) for comparison.
There are spaces between in the sets of data.
The bars that are comparing data must be touching (leave space for the next set)
The first set of bars CANNOT TOUCH THE Y-AXIS
Use a key/legend to identify the different bars
Line Graph
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For continuous data.
Shows changes over time (time is on the x axis).
Shows relationships between two variables or sets of data.
Useful for showing trends in data and for making predictions.
May have multiple lines to represent different variables
The data table to the right is graphed below
Time
Spend
Studying
0.5 hour
1 hour
1.5 hours
2 hours
2.5 hours
Grade
on
Exam 1
63%
70%
83%
99%
100%
“Comparison of Time Spent Studying
To Grade Received on Exam”
Percentage Scored on Exam
= Exam 1
100
90
= Exam 2
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
Time Spent Studying in Hours
Grade
on
Exam 2
40%
47%
60%
77%
85%
Stem and Leaf Plot
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Organizes large sets of numbers and classifies continuous data.
Used to collect and organize data as it collected.
Looks like a bar graph when turned on its side.
o Examples: Graph students’ test scores out of 100.
o The following are the test scores: 41, 55, 59, 62, 64, 75, 75, 75, 79, 82, 82, 82,
86, 88, 88, 89, 91, 91, 95, 96, and 99.
Test Scores Out of 100
Stem
Leaf
9
8
7
6
5
4
11569
2226889
5559
24
59
1
Histogram
Number of Students
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Graphs frequency for a range of data and typically graphs continuous data.
Bars have the same width and touch.
Can touch the y-axis but you do not have to
All bars should be the same color to help avoid confusion
The graph below is for the stem and leaf information that is provided above
Test Scores for Class
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
40’s
50’s
80’s
90’s
Range of Test Scores 5’11
60’s
70’s