Graphing Skills Overview

Which type of graph is best suited for showing the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable over time?

What is a characteristic of pie graphs?

Which of the following scenarios is best represented by a bar graph?

When plotting data for a line graph, what variables are typically represented on the x- and y-axes?

What type of graph would be most appropriate to visualize the percentage of allowance spent on different categories?

Types of Graphs

Pie Graphs: Ideal for displaying data that is a "part of a whole" with categories summing to 100% and represented in percentages.
Bar Graphs: Useful for comparing descriptive data such as amounts or percentages where categories do not follow a specific order and bars do not touch each other.
Line Graphs: Represent relationships between independent variables (IV) and dependent variables (DV), typically plotting time on the x-axis with points connected to show trends.

Graph Descriptions

Displays the quantity of each color of M&M's in a bag using a bar or pie chart.
Illustrates the heating process of water over time, likely using a line graph to show temperature changes.
Represents the number of students who receive grades A, B, or C, suitable for a bar graph to compare categories.
Measures the percentage composition of various gases in the atmosphere, often suitable for a pie chart.
Shows how allowance is allocated across different spending categories, ideal for a pie graph.
Tracks changes in height over a 15-year period, typically represented with a line graph to show growth trends.

Explore the various types of graphs used by scientists to display data. This quiz covers pie graphs, bar graphs, and line graphs, focusing on their characteristics and uses. Understand how to effectively communicate information through graphical representations.