Graphing Review, Types of Graphs
and How to Read a Graph
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Graphing is a method of taking a large amount of
information and presenting it in an easily readable
format.

You must be able to identify, create and read a
simple 2-D graph.
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You must understand and be able to determine the
different variables involved in creating a 2-D graph.

You must be able to compare and contrast the
different types of variables and different types of
graphs in this unit.
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In your IAN notebook, you will create the a
foldable to help you create and read graphs in
this unit.
Take the 8½” x 11” sheet of paper you are given
and turn it Landscape Style as shown.

Fold the left and right side of the paper into
the middle like you are creating “Doors”.

Flatten your page out again, and on the
middle top paste the graph you were given.

Divide the inside of each door into 3 sections.

Write the follow terms at the top of each box on
the doors. After writing each term, define these
terms in the box.
Dependent
Manipulated
Variable
Variable
Response
Independent
Variable
Variable
Y - Axis
X - Axis
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Dependent Variable – the possible outcome of the
experiment; the effect.
Response Variable – What did I measure? What
was the effect of the change?
Y – Axis = The Vertical Axis on a graph.
Manipulated Variable – What did I change in the
experiment? What will happen if this changes?
Independent Variable – the variable that you have
control over, what you can choose and manipulate.
X – Axis = The Horizontal Axis on a graph.
Label your graph paper as shown below. Write the bulleted
list directly under the graph. Also show the Y – Axis and X –
Axis on the graph.
Dependent
Variable
(D.V.)
Response
Variable
Y - Axis
Graph Title
Name of D.V. goes here.

Manipulated
Variable
Independent
X - Axis Variable (I.V.)
Name of I.V. goes here.
Y - Axis
X - Axis
Write the list below
here!
•Start each axis with zero.
•Each axis should be divided
into even increments.
•Label all parts of the graph.
•Label the units of each axis.

Write the term Control Variables and its definition
at the bottom of the middle section as shown.
Graph Title
Variable
(D.V.)
Response
Variable
Manipulated
Variable
Name of D.V. goes here.
Dependent
Independent
Variable (I.V.)
Name of I.V. goes here.
Y - Axis
•Start each axis with zero.
•Each axis should be divided into even increments.
•Label all parts of the graph.
•Label the units of each axis.
X - Axis
Write the Term and
Definition below
here!
Control Variables:
All variables that could affect
the experiment, but are
taken out of the equation
because they remain
constant.
(Must stay the same!)

Close the doors to your foldable and draw the lines shown
on the two doors to separate them into 3 sections each.
Then write the letter shown on each section. DRY-MIX is
the acronym we will use to remind you about graphing!
This side of the foldable
gives the definition for the
Dependent Variable,
explains it is the Response
to a change in the
experiment, and shows it is
located on the Y-Axis.
D
M
R
I
Y
X
This side of the foldable
gives the definition for the
Independent Variable,
explains that it Manipulates
a change to the
experiment, and shows it is
located on the X-Axis.

Now paste your foldable with the DRY-MIX side up in
your IAN. You should be able to open the doors and
read everything that is inside!
D
M
R
I
Y
X

A Y vs. X graph means that the variable Y
depends on the variable X to determine the
location of each point on the graph. We call this
a graph of “Y as a function of X”, which means
“Y depends on X”.

Now let’s look at the types of graphs you can
create with this basic graphing template!

In each example, write down the Dependent
Variable and the Independent Variable on your
copy.
Chart: Types of Energy Consumption in the United States
A scientist plants two rows of corn for experimentation. She
puts fertilizer on row 1 but does not put fertilizer on row 2.
Both rows receive the same amount of water and light
intensity. She checks the growth of the corn over the course
of 5 months. What is a constant in this experiment?
A. Amount of water
B. Corn without fertilizer
C. Corn with fertilizer
D. Plant height
Justify your answer:
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