Constructing Graphs
Name___________________________
The following exercise explains the steps for constructing a graph representing the data in Table 1
below.
STRETCH OF A SPRING
FOR DIFFERENT WEIGHT
Weight (g)
Stretch of Spring
(cm)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
0.0
1.6
3.1
4.5
6.3
7.6
9.2
10.7
STEP 1: Labeling the Axes: Use your previous knowledge, data Table 1 and the graph sheet to answer
questions 1-6 below.
1. How many axes are there on a graph?
What are they?
Label them:
2. In the data table, which data (weight or stretch of the spring) is defined as the dependent
variable? Why?
3. On what axis does the dependent variable go?
4. In the data table, which data (weight or stretch of the spring) is defined as the independent
variable? Why?
5. On what axis does the independent variable go?
6. On a piece of graph paper use a ruler to draw and label the axis for the data in Table 1. Make
sure to include the units for each axis.
NOTE: Scales should be chosen to make the graph as large as possible within the limits of the
paper and still include the largest item of data.
7. Give your graph a title that reflects the variables.
STEP2: Determining a scale of Equal Intervals: Use your previous knowledge, data Table 1 and
the graph sheet to answer questions 1-7.
1. Find the biggest number in each column of the data table.
Weight_______________
Stretch of spring__________________
2. Count the number of space along each axis on the graph paper
Number of spaces on X axis_________________
Number of spaces on Y axis _________________
3. Divide the biggest number in your data by the number of spaces on that axis. For example,
if your biggest piece of data is 200 and you have 20 spaces on yo0ur axis then make each
space worth 10. (if you get a decimal round up)
X axis interval = (Biggest number)
(Number of spaces)
Y axis interval= (biggest number)
(Number of spaces)
NOTE: The calculated interval is the numerical value of each space on that axis. The
intervals between each space must be in equal increments!
4. Label the intervals on your graph using a ruler
5. Explain how you would determine the intervals for an axis if the largest piece of data was 10
and there were 20 spaces on the axis.
6. Explain what you do when a data set starts above 20.
Constructing Graphs II
The following exercise explains the steps for constructing a graph representing the data in Table 2
below.
Yearly Average Temperatures
Month of the
Year (months)
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Long Beach,
California
Temperatures
(oC)
12.7
13.3
14.4
15
17.5
18.8
21
21.6
21
18.6
16
13.8
Lisbon,
Portugal
Temperatures
(oC)
10.5
11.8
12.3
14.6
15
19.2
22.3
22
20
17.1
13
11.3
Double line graphs are used to compare two groups of related data over a particular time.
Step 1: Label the Axes: Use your previous knowledge and data table to answer the questions below
1.
Which piece of data is defined as the dependent variable? Why?
2. Label this axes on the graph paper (Don’t forget units)
3. Which piece of data is defined as the independent variable? Why?
4. Label this axes on the graph paper (Don’t forget units)
NOTE: Scales should be chosen to make the graph as large as possible within the limits of the
paper and still include the largest item of data
Step 2: Determining A Scale of Equal Intervals: Use your previous knowledge and the data table to
answer the questions below.
1. Find the biggest number in each of the columns of the data table.
Months (how many)__________ Temp. in Long Beach_________ Temp. in Lisbon __________
2. Count the number of spaces along each axis on the graph paper.
Number of spaces on X axis= _________
Number of spaces on Y axis= _________
3. With double line graphs the variable that is multiply measured (temperature) will still need one
common axis. To do this you will look at both locations temperatures and create the axis scale
based off the largest number.
Which location has the highest temperature recorded? _____________________
What is that temperature? _____________
4. Divide the biggest number in your data by the number of spaces on that axis. For example, if
your biggest piece of data is 200 and you have 20 spaces on your axis then make each space
worth 10. (If you get a decimal Round Up!)
5. Take a look at the month variable. Create the scale so that the months are spread out enough
to take up a majority of the graph paper.
6. Divide the number of months by the number of spaces on the axis. Label the months on the x
axis.
7. Graph the data one line at a time. Begin using the months and temperatures from one city first.
Create a key to distinguish which line is which and place it in a blank space on the graph paper.