Chapter 9 - Graphs

MR. VAINO INDONGO

FHAS Building
[email protected]
061 207 2346

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 Importance of Graphs
⚫ Graph – involves using visual representation
to present data
⚫ Condense large amounts of information into an
organized and easy-to-read manner
⚫ Obtain data from the graph you have not
measured
⚫ Types of graphs include
⚫ Bar graphs
⚫ Line graphs
⚫ Histograms
⚫ Pie chart
➢ Depends on the type of data 2
⚫ Composed of
Bar Graph
discrete bars that
represent
different
categories of
data

⚫ Descriptive

⚫ The length or
height of the bar
is equal to the
quantity within
that category of 3

data
 Line Graph

⚫ Show a relationship between two variables

⚫ Show how/if the independent variable affects the

dependent variable

⚫ Usually show change over a period of time

⚫ Useful for showing trends in data & for making

predictions

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 How to Make a Graph
Step 1
⚫ Collect your data and represent data in a table form.

⚫ Consider the acronym T.A.I.L.S. to remember

everything you need to create a graph
T.A.I.L.S.
Title
Axis
Interval
Labels
Scale
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 How to Make a Graph
Step 2
⚫ Title your graph

Dependent Variable against Independent variable

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 Step 3
• Identify the Axes

Y- Axis
Dependent
Variable
(what is observed
and measured)

X- Axis
Independent
Variable
(what is changed by
the scientist)
 Step 4
• Decide on the Interval

⚫ The interval is the amount between one value and the

next.
⚫ Determined by the minimum and maximum values for
both the Y and X-axis.
⚫ For most bar graphs, the X-axis will not have numerical
values.
⚫ Choose an interval that lets you make the graph as large
as possible for your paper and data i.e. at least 2/3 of the
graph paper
⚫ It is highly recommended to use a common number for
an interval such as;
⚫ 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 , etc.
⚫ 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 15 etc.
 Interval

The interval for

the Y-axis is 7.

The X-axis does

not have
numerical data
and does not
need an interval.
 Step 4
• Decide on the Interval e.g: displacement of a car
Range of graph is
sufficient for min and
max values for both x
and y data.

Time (s) Displacement

(m)
1 10
2 20
3 30
4 40
 Step 5
• Label both Axes

⚫ Both axes need to be labeled so the reader knows

what the independent and dependent variables are.

⚫ The labels must include the units used to measure the

data
Speed/ms-1 Speed (ms-1) versus Time (s)

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Time/s
Step 6
⚫ Check the Scale and Plot the data.

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 Line Graphs

⚫ Draw a line of BEST fit.

- This does not mean simply connecting the dots
with straight line.

- Usually it is best to fit a straight line that goes as

near as possible to as many points plotted on the
graph page.

- The origin is not always included as a point!

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 Line of Best Fit
.
Speed/ms-1 Speed/ms-1

Another example:
For our example, a using a best ‘fitting’
smooth curved line straight line to join as
joins all the points many points as
possible.

Time/s Time/s

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 Line of Best Fit

Think about what your graph means and what kind of

information you can get from it.
- Gradient (or Slope) which is an indication of how fast
your line rises (or falls). Very important!!!
- Values that you can read off from the graph through
extrapolation
- Other information e.g. area under the curve, etc.

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 Gradients
Speed/ms-1
How to find the gradient?
A. Using gradient formula
. 1. For a straight line graph, pick two
(7,26)
points on the line, as far as possible.
These two points are described as
(x1,y1) and (x2,y2).
2. The two set of points picked are
(1,4) and (7,26)
3. Substitute the points in the
gradient formula.
y2 - y1
Gradient =
Sloping upwards from x2 - x1
left to right: +ve gradient
26 - 4
(1,4) =
7 -1
Time/s 2
=3
3 17
 Gradients
Speed/ms-1
How to find the gradient?
B. Drawing triangles + rise/run
. +ve rise 1. Draw the largest right-angle triangle with
‘readable’ whole number values.
+ve run
2. Determine the rise (change in y-direction)
and the run (change in x-direction)
3. Substitute the values in the gradient
formula.
Rise = 22 rise
Gradient =
run
26 - 4
=
7 -1
2
Run = 6
=3
Time/s
3

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The equation of a straight line
⚫ The equation of a
straight line is given
by: Y = mx + c
⚫ Where y is the
dependent variable
(always reflecting on
vertical axis), m is
the gradient, x is the
independent
variable, and c is the
y-intercept.

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