1.
How to Create Bar and Line Graphs

2.
Draw the Axes

3.
Identify the Axes Y- Axis X- Axis

4.
Identify the Axes Y- Axis X- Axis Dependent Variable (what is observed and measured) Independent Variable (what is changed by the scientist)

5.
<ul><li>One way to remember which data goes on which axis is the acronym DRY MIX . </li></ul><ul><li>D.R.Y. M.I.X . </li></ul><ul><li>D - Dependent M - Manipulated </li></ul><ul><li>R - Responding I - Independent </li></ul><ul><li>Y - Y-axis X - X-axis </li></ul>DRY MIX

6.
<ul><li>Write an appropriate title for the graph at the top. </li></ul><ul><li>The title should contain both the independent and dependent variables. </li></ul>Title

7.
<ul><li>Decide on an appropriate scale for each axis. </li></ul><ul><li>The scale refers to the min and max numbers used on each axis. They may or may not begin at zero. </li></ul><ul><li>The min and max numbers used for the scale should be a little lower than the lowest value and a little higher than the highest value. </li></ul><ul><li>This allows you to have a smaller range which emphasizes the comparisons/trends in the data. </li></ul>Scale

8.
Scale <ul><li>The Y-axis scale is from 0-100. </li></ul><ul><li>The largest value though is only 35. </li></ul>

9.
Scale <ul><li>The Y-axis scale is now from 0-40. </li></ul><ul><li>This does a better job emphasizing the comparisons between coins. </li></ul>

10.
<ul><li>Look at your minimum and maximum values you set up for both the Y and X-axis. (For most bar graphs, the X-axis will not have numerical values.) </li></ul><ul><li>Decide on an appropriate interval for the scale you have chosen. The interval is the amount between one value and the next. </li></ul><ul><li>It is highly recommended to use a common number for an interval such as 2, 5, 10, 25, 100, etc. </li></ul>Intervals

11.
Intervals The interval for the Y-axis is 20. The X-axis does not have numerical data and does not need an interval.

12.
<ul><li>Both axes need to be labeled so the reader knows exactly what the independent and dependent variables are. </li></ul><ul><li>The dependent variable must be specific and include the units used to measure the data (such as “number of drops”). </li></ul>Labels

13.
Labels DV label IV label

14.
<ul><li>Another handy acronym to help you remember everything you need to create your graphs….. </li></ul><ul><li>T.A.I.L.S. </li></ul><ul><li>T itle </li></ul><ul><li>A xis </li></ul><ul><li> I nterval </li></ul><ul><li> L abels </li></ul><ul><li>S cale </li></ul>TAILS

15.
TAILS Title: Includes both variables Axis: IV on X-axis and DV on Y-axis Interval: The interval (4) is appropriate for this scale. Label : Both axes are labeled. Scale: Min and max values are appropriate.

16.
Bar Graphs vs Line Graphs

17.
Bar Graphs <ul><li>Bar graphs are descriptive. </li></ul><ul><li>They compare groups of data such as amounts and categories. </li></ul><ul><li>They help us make generalizations and see differences in the data. </li></ul>

18.
Example

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Another example

20.
Line Graphs <ul><li>Line graphs show a relationship between the two variables. They show how/if the IV affects the DV. </li></ul><ul><li>Many times, the IV plotted on the X-axis is time. </li></ul><ul><li>They are useful for showing trends in data and for making predictions. </li></ul>

21.
Example

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Another example

23.
Create-a-Graph Online! <ul><li>Click here to use the online tool! </li></ul>