Chart Handout
Chart Handout
Chart Handout
Graphs oh
my!!
3. Line (x-y) graph -- used for related variables and relationships over time.
1. Line charts are good for showing trends-of continuous data, usually
Involving time.
2. An area chart is a line chart with the area between the line and the x-axis is
Shaded.
LINE
GRAPH
Temperture Changes
35
30
Temperature in Celcius
25
20
15
10
0
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
Time
relax
8%
Play Basketball
8%
Watch TV
8%
Do Homework
12%
Eat
8%
School
28%
Sleep
28%
16
8
90
95
100
105
110
115
120
125
IQ
6. Histograms -- are bar charts that display frequencies- or relative frequencies in the
Form of contiguous (touching) bars. Histograms can be used to see the shape of
The distribution and to determine whether the data are distributed symmetrically.
HISTOGRAM
We have measured several players. We want to Histogram Key question: How many players
compare numbers of players that are from 5are there in each class of heights?
5.5 feet high; from 5.5-6; from 6-6.5 and so on.
1. Axis-- The reference lines in a coordinate system. The X-axis is the horizontal
reference, and the Y-axis is the vertical reference.
2. Title -- Describes the data the chart is symbolizing.
3. Legend -- An explanatory list of symbols on a chart (needed when you graph
multiple data sets).
4. Labels-- Are needed for linking the chart to the information being displayed. If
charted data has labels in the spreadsheet, the labels should be carried over to the
chart.
9. Recognize the basic rules of chart construction
1. Use graph paper, a spreadsheet program, or graphing program such as Excel
2. Decide on the correct of chart or graph.
3. Determine the largest value to be plotted on each axis and make sure the scale is
large enough to use at least half of the paper in both directions.
4. Plot the independent-or control variable on the x-axis. The dependent variable is
plotted on the y-axis.
5. Label the axes and give units to those labels.
6. All graphs should have a title. A good title that always works is "y" as a function
of "x."
7. Most graphs should start at the origin (x = 0, y = 0). There are exceptions like
graphing temperature. If the lowest temperature is 37o C start at 35 o C. This is
because 0 o C is not the lowest temperature.
8. Number the x and y-axis with a regular numerical sequence or pattern starting
with 0 to space out your data so it fills the entire graph. Use a ruler for straight
lines.
9.
10. If 2 or more lines are plotted on a graph, a key or legend is necessary. A different
hue or symbol should be used for each line.
11. The color of the background of the graph, and the lines on the graph should be
clearly distinguishable from each other.
12. The color of lines on a multi-line graph should be distinguishable from each other.
13. General Advice
a. Keep graphs simple -- make the data do the talking. Dont "liven" up you
chart with extra colors, 3D, or pictures. Interesting data captures an
audiences attention more than any graphic or special printing effect could.
b. Use meaningful titles and labels -- let the audience think about what the
data means, not what the data is or could be.
c. Be truthful with the axes -- Do not exchange scales or perspectives to gain
a falsely perceived advantage.
14. 3D may not be a good idea because the data may appear distorted, can be
misinterpreted, or may be misleading. A demonstration of problematic 3D
perspective: the chart on the left clearly shows that Clinton edged out Dole in
Florida. When Excel shows this data in 3D format, it is impossible to clearly tell
if anyone won or if it was a tie.
Usages
Examples
Column
Each bar or
column
represents a
data element,
and a complete
set of columns
makes up a
data set
The net result of
this stacking
should
demonstrate
some total
value
Pie
showing parts of a
whole or percentages
compare the
components of
a set to each
other
Line
trends of
continuous
data, usually
involving time
Histogra
m
display
frequencies or
relative
frequencies in
the form of
contiguous
(touching) bars
Drawing
Scatter