Representing Data

Data surrounds you everywhere you turn. It is up

to you to identify and compare daily information.
Have you considered how athletic statistics are
determined, how newspaper and magazine
surveys are supported, or how industries use
information to predict sales?
A graph is a visual way of displaying data. There are
many decisions to make when you create a graph.
What type of graph will you use? What portion of
the data will you display? How will the display
communicate your message?

What You Will Learn

φ to compare how different graphs represent the
same data
φ to identify the advantages and disadvantages of
different graphs
φ to explore how data can be misrepresented
φ to justify using a specific graph to represent data

2 MHR • Chapter 1
 Key Words
• interval • double bar graph
• bar graph • double line graph
• circle graph • trend
• line graph • distort
• pictograph

Literacy Link
A KWL chart can help you understand and learn
new material more easily
• The K in KWL stands for Know.
• The W in KWL stands for Want.
• The L in KWL stands for Learned.
Copy the following KWL chart into your math
journal or notebook. Brainstorm with a partner
what you already know about representing
data.
• Record your ideas in the first column.
• List any questions you have about
representing data in the second column.
• After you complete the chapter, complete
the final column of the KWL chart.
Representing Data
What I Want to
What I Know Know What I Learned

Chapter 1 • MHR 3
 ;DA967A:H /
-ÌÕ`ÞÊ/œœ

Making the Foldable Step 4 Label each section and pocket as shown.
Step 5 Label the back of the Foldable as shown.
• 11 × 17 sheet of paper
• ruler Math
L
Introd ink It Up
!
• stapler uctio
n Wrap
Ideas
• several sheets of notebook paper cut into quarters or
large index cards
• scissors (optional)

Step 1 Fold an 11 × 17 sheet of paper into thirds

lengthwise.

Step 2 Label the outside of your Foldable as shown.

Using the Foldable

Ch
a
Re pter Use the back of the Foldable for your answers to
pre 1:
Da se
ta nti
ng the Math Link introduction on page 5.
As you work through each section of Chapter 1,
make notes about examples and Key Ideas on
quarter sheets of paper or index cards and put
them in the appropriate pocket. Place your
responses to the Math Link for each section in the
same place.
Step 3 Unfold the paper. Fold the bottom edge
upward approximately 8 cm. Staple the outer Write the Key Words above the appropriate
edges and along each crease to make three pocket.
pockets.
Keep track of what you need to work on. Check
1.1 A
dv ata
off each item as you deal with it.
Disad antages a ing D
va ritiqu
Differe ntages o d
n 1.2 Misrepresenting 1.3 C tation
nt Gra f
phs Data Prese
n
As you think of ideas for the Wrap It Up!, record
Key W ......
o
........ rds .......... ........ ...
.... .. ords
Key W .............. .
.. them on the back of the Foldable.
........ .............. . Key Words .............. .... ....
........ ..
........ .. ............................... ........ ..............
...... ....
............................... ........
What n
ork O
........I Need to Wo d to W ......
I Nee 8 cm
...................... rk On What ..............
..............................
What I Need to Work On ........
........ ........ .............................. ..............................
........ .............................. ........................
...... ........
..............................

4 MHR • Chapter 1
MATH LINK
Music Industry
Music producers sell hundreds of millions of recordings each year.
Although music is popular, predicting the sales of a new release can
be challenging due to new technology. Will a new release be a hit or
a flop? Music producers collect information to help them predict
sales. For example, is the artist new? Is the artist currently touring?
Who does the music appeal to? How could you organize the
information that music producers gather?
1. The circle graph shows the music preferences of young Music Preferences in Young
Canadian Adults (Ages 14 to 19)
Canadian adults between the ages of 14 and 19. Classical
2%
a) What was the favourite type of music? What is the least
favourite type of music? Country
10% Rap
b) Research the music preferences of young adults between the 50%
Rock and Roll
ages of 14 and 19 in your province or territory. Does this circle 13%
graph provide a good representation of preferences where
Alternative
you live? Explain. 25%

2. The double bar graph shows Canadian sales of music in Music Sales in Canada
160 000
different formats.
140 000
a) What were the sales for DVDs in 2006?
120 000
Sales ($ Thousands)

b) Compare the sales for CDs in 2006 and 2007. Jan-May 2006
100 000
c) How do you see this data changing over time? Explain 80 000
Jan-May 2007
your reasoning.
60 000

3. The table shows the music market shares for several 40 000

music producers. 20 000

0
Music Producer Market Share (%) DVD CD
Sony BMG 26 Format

Universal Music Group 32

Warner Music Group 15
EMI Group 9
Independent Labels 18

a) Represent the data using a bar graph and a circle graph.

b) Which graph do you prefer? Explain.

In this chapter, you will collect, analyse, and display data about
the music industry. What is your favourite type of music?

Math Link • MHR 5

 Advantages and Disadvantages
of Different Graphs
Focus on…
After this lesson,
you will be able to...
φ compare
information from
different graphs
φ identify the
advantages and
disadvantages
of different
types of graphs

How tall are the students in your class? Is everyone nearly the
same height? Or are the heights spread out? What is the most
common height for the boys and the girls?

What are the best ways to display a large quantity of data?

• metre stick
• chalk or masking tape
1. Work in groups of three or four. To the nearest centimetre, measure
• ruler and record the height of each member of your group.
• grid paper (optional)
• coloured pencils 2. Record the results for the entire class on the board. Include the
height and gender of each student.

interval 3. Decide on an interval , and then organize the data into groups. You
• the spread between may wish to use 10 cm as the interval for the height of students in
the smallest and the your class. Round the shortest height down to the nearest 10 cm.
largest numbers in a For example, if the shortest height is 122 cm, start the first interval
range of numbers
at 120 cm. Develop a frequency table using the model below.
Interval Tally Frequency A frequency table
lists items and uses
120 to 129 cm tally marks to record
130 to 139 cm the number of times
each item occurs.

6 MHR • Chapter 1
 4. Display your data using a graph of your choice.

5. a) Compare the information on your graph with that of other groups.

How does the type of graph you used affect the amount and the
type of information it displays?
b) List advantages and disadvantages of the type of graph you used.

6. Separate the data into two categories. For example, you might compare
boys and girls.

7. Choose one type of graph to display both sets of data.

8. a) Compare the data on the two graphs that you made.

b) List advantages and disadvantages of the type of graph you
used in step 7.
c) Compare the information on your second graph with that of
other groups. Did you reach the same conclusions? Explain.

Reflect on Your Findings

9. How might you decide which graph is best for representing a large
quantity of data?

Literacy Link
Types of Graphs
Bar Graph Line Graph Circle Graph
Zoe’s Books T-Shirt Sales Akira’s Week on Internet (20 h)
50
Number of T-Shirts

10
Number of Books

40 Homework
8
12%
6 30
4 20
2 10 Surfing
13% Chat Lines
0 0
Science Sports History 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 50%
Week
Watching
Fiction
Videos
Category 25%

Double Bar Graph Double Line Graph Pictograph

Zoe’s Books and Population Varieties of Apples Sold
1200
Matt’s Books Trends Fuji
10 1000
Number of Books

Population

8 Zoe 800 Golden Delicious

6 Matt 600 Jonagold
4 400 Riverside MacIntosh
2 200 Hillview Red Delicious
0 0 represents 10 apples
Science Sports History
2
3

5
6
7
4
200
200

200
200
200
200

Fiction
Category Year

1.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Graphs • MHR 7

 Example 1: Compare Two Graphs
Many cultures have
During one weekend, the owners of Pascal’s
their own version of Pizzeria recorded how they received pizza
pizza with unique orders and then presented the data using a
toppings. For circle graph and a pictograph.
example, Canadian
pizza toppings may
include bacon, Weekend Pizza Sales (125 orders)
pepperoni, and
mushrooms. In India,
pizza toppings Weekend Pizza Sales
include ginger, Walk In Phone
paneer, which is a 32% Phone
form of cottage 48% Internet
cheese, and chicken Walk In
tikka.
represents 10 pizzas
Internet
20%

a) How many more pizzas were ordered by phone than on the

Internet? Which graph shows this more clearly? Explain.
b) Almost half of the total number of orders came by phone.
Which graph shows this more clearly? Explain.
c) Which graph better shows the number of pizzas ordered by
Internet? Justify your choice.
d) Would a line graph be a useful way to display the data?
Explain why or why not.
e) What other type of graph could be used to display the data?

Solution
a) There were 35 more pizzas ordered by phone than on the Internet.
The pictograph uses symbols to compare the number of pizza
orders from the phone, the Internet, and walk ins. The pictograph
shows more clearly that there were more than twice as many
phone orders as Internet orders.

b) The circle graph shows that 48% of the pizzas were ordered by
phone. The circle graph shows this more clearly because almost
half of the circle is shaded to represent phone orders.

8 MHR • Chapter 1
c) The pictograph shows the number of pizzas ordered by Internet
better than the circle graph. The pictograph uses 2.5 pizza symbols
to represent the orders from the Internet.
Since each symbol represents 10 pizzas, then 2.5 × 10 = 25 pizzas.
You would have to perform extra calculations to determine the
number of pizzas ordered by Internet using the information on the
circle graph.
For example, the circle graph shows that 20% of the 125 pizzas
were ordered on the Internet. You can find the number of pizzas by
calculating 20% of the total number of pizzas.
Since 20% = 0.2, then 0.2 × 125 = 25 pizzas.

d) A line graph would not be useful since the data do not show changes
over time. You need to use a graph that compares data in different
categories.

e) A bar graph could also have been used to compare data about
pizza orders.

The graphs show the number of each variety of apple sold in a fruit stand.
Varieties of Apples Sold Varieties of Apples Sold
60
Fuji
50
Number of Apples

Golden Delicious
40
Jonagold
30
MacIntosh
Red Delicious 20

represents 10 apples 10

0
Fuji Golden Jonagold MacIntosh Red
Delicious Delicious

Variety

a) In your opinion which graph is easier to read? Justify your choice.

b) Would a line graph be a useful way to display the data? Explain
why or why not.
c) What other type of graph could be used to display the data?

1.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Graphs • MHR 9

 Example 2: Representing Data
History Link During the 2005–2006 hockey season, the Edmonton Oilers advanced
to the Stanley Cup finals. In regular season play, two of their top three
The Stanley Cup was
originally called the players were Shawn Horcoff (born in Trail, BC) and Jarret Stoll (born
Dominion Hockey in Melville, SK). Here are the statistics for their previous three regular
Challenge Cup. It was seasons with the Oilers.
donated by Lord
Stanley of Preston, a Horcoff (Centre)
Governor General of
Canada, and was first Games Total
awarded in 1893 to Season Played Goals Assists Points
Montréal. 1 78 12 21 33
2 80 15 25 40
3 79 22 51 73

Stoll (Centre)
Games Total
Season Played Goals Assists Points
1 4 0 1 1
2 68 10 11 21
3 82 22 46 68

a) Use a double bar graph to display the data.

b) Which player shows the most improvement in total points?
c) Total points are used to assess a player’s worth. Take a look at the
number of games Horcoff and Stoll played. Is this a fair way to
assess a player’s worth?
d) Would two circle graphs be effective to display the data? Explain.

Solution
a) Total Points in Three NHL Regular Seasons
80

70
Horcoff
60
Stoll
50
Points

40

30

20

10

0
1 2 3

Season

10 MHR • Chapter 1
b) Stoll shows the most improvement in total points over three seasons.

c) Total points are not a fair way to assess a player’s worth. The graph
does not take into account the number of games that each centre
played during the regular season. The number of games that Stoll
played increased over the three seasons, whereas the number of games
that Horcoff played stayed approximately the same each season.

d) No, two circle graphs are less effective. Each circle graph shows the
percent of points scored in each season compared with the total
number of points scored over three seasons. It is difficult to compare
the total points of the two players.
Horcoff’s Total Points in Three Stoll’s Total Points in Three
NHL Regular Seasons (146 points) NHL Regular Seasons (90 points)
Season 1
1%
Season 1
22%

Season 3 Season 3 Season 2

49% 76% 23%

Season 2
29%

Jenna surveyed students in grade 8 in her school to determine their

favourite team sports.
a) Choose one type of graph to display the data.
b) Graph the data.
c) Give one advantage of using your choice of graph.
Sports Frequency
Basketball 24
Volleyball 20
Soccer 45
Baseball 25
Hockey 32
Other 4
Total 150

1.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Graphs • MHR 11

 • Data can be presented using bar graphs, double bar graphs, circle
graphs, line graphs, and pictographs.
• Different graphs may provide different information and display
certain types of data better.
Bar graphs are best for comparing Double bar graphs are best for comparing
data across categories. two sets of data across categories.
Gadgets Owned by a Grade 8 Class What Gadgets Do You Have?

Percent of Students
100
30 80 Elementary
Number of Gadgets

Students
25 60
Secondary
20 40 Students
15 20
10 0
Calculator Cell Phone Computer MP3 Player
5
Gadgets
0
Calculator Cell Phone Computer MP3 Player
Gadgets

Circle graphs are best for Line graphs are best for showing
comparing categories to the whole changes in data over time.
using percents. The sum of the Whitehorse Average
percents in a circle graph is 100%. Maximum Temperature
20
Andre’s Weekly Activities (25 h) 15
Temperature (°C)

10
Reading 5
15% Television 0
20% −5
−10
Playing Drums
Playing Sports −15
20% J F M A M J J A S O N D
25%
Month
Internet/Video
Games
20%

Pictographs are best for comparing data that can be easily counted
and represented using symbols.
T-Shirt Sales
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
represents 10 T-shirts

12 MHR • Chapter 1
 1. Flora wants to use a graph to summarize movie ticket sales for two
movies, and make a prediction for future sales. Which graph should
she use—the double line graph or the double bar graph? Explain why.
Movie Ticket Sales Movie Ticket Sales
5 5
Ticket Sales ($ Millions)

Ticket Sales ($ Millions)

4 Pirates
4
Pirates
3 Top Speed
3
Top Speed
2 2

1 1

0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

Week Week

2. Wes surveyed 60 students to determine Type of Game Votes

which type of computer game is the Quest 15
most popular. Wes decided to display Role-play 20
the data in a bar graph. Bonnie
Simulation 9
suggested that a circle graph would be
more useful for displaying the data. Strategy 16
Who made a better choice? Explain. Total 60

3. How are a bar graph and a pictograph similar? How are they different? What
type of data is each useful for displaying? Share your answer with a classmate.

c) Describe one advantage and one

disadvantage of using each graph.
For help with #4 to #6, refer to Example 1 on Ravi’s Monthly Ravi’s Monthly Spending
pages 8–9. Spending ($200)
Movies
4. Ravi recorded his spending for one month. Savings
Music

He displayed the data in a circle graph and 15% Movies Food

20%
Clothing
a pictograph. Clothing Music Savings
25% 15%
a) How much more does Ravi spend on
Food represents $10
food than on movies? Which graph 25%
shows this more clearly? Explain.
b) Ravi spends half of his money on food
and clothing. Which graph shows this
more clearly? Explain.
1.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Graphs • MHR 13
5. The piano that Sara, Ann, and Min use is a) What information does each graph
available for 40 h of practice every week. provide?
The graphs show how they divide the b) Between which two weeks did the plant
practice time. grow at the same rate?
Piano Practice Piano Practice c) Between which two weeks did the plant
Per Week (40 h) Per Week change the most in height? Which graph
Min shows this more clearly?
Sara
Min 25% d) Describe one advantage and one
Students
35% Ann
disadvantage of using each graph.
Ann
40% Sara
For help with #7 and #8, refer to Example 2 on
0 5 10 15 20 pages 10–11.
Number of Hours
7. The table shows the heights of two friends
a) What information does each graph measured over time.
provide? Lewis Andrea
b) Write and answer one question about Age Height (cm) Age Height (cm)
the data that can be answered from the 2 40 2 40
circle graph. 4 60 4 60
c) Write and answer one question about 6 70 6 80
the data that can be answered from the 8 100 8 110
bar graph.
10 120 10 130
12 145 12 150
6. For a science fair experiment, Mitchell
measured the height of a plant every 14 165 14 160
Monday for four weeks. He displayed the 16 175 16 160
data in a line graph and a pictograph. a) Use a double bar graph and a double
Week 1 2 3 4 line graph to display the data.
Plant Height (cm) 20 40 60 90 b) How are the trends for Andrea and
Lewis similar? How are they different?
Plant Height c) Which graph do you think more clearly
100
Plant Height shows each student’s height trend?
80
Height (cm)

Week 1
Explain your choice.
60
Week 2
d) Would two circle graphs be effective
40
Week 3
for displaying the data? Explain why
20
Week 4
or why not.
0
1 2 3 4 represents 20 cm

Week
Literacy Link
A trend is the general direction that a line
graph is going.

14 MHR • Chapter 1
 Tech Link
You can use the spreadsheet software available
on your computer to create graphs. 9. The graphs show the categories of books
that were signed out from a library over
8. The table shows the decibel levels of a year.
different sounds in the environment. Books Signed Out Books Signed
(3750 books) Out
Sound Level History
History
Leaves rustling 20 dB 10%
Sports
Whisper 30 dB 13% Science Fiction Sports
34%
Heavy traffic 78 dB Teen

Category
Romance Teen
Lawn mower 90 dB 20%
Romance
Mystery 23%
Hockey game 104 dB
Thunder clap 120 dB Mystery

Stock car races 130 dB

Science
Balloon pop 157 dB Fiction

a) Use a bar graph to display the data. What 0 500 1000 1500

is one advantage of using a bar graph? Number of Sign Outs

b) Could you use a line graph to display

a) Estimate how many times more
the data? Explain.
popular science fiction books are
c) Could you use a circle graph to display than history books.
the data? Explain.
b) Which graph helped you answer
d) Would a pictograph be an effective way part a)? Why did you choose this
to display the data? Explain why or graph?
why not.
c) Which category of book has
Literacy Link approximately the same number of
sign outs as history and sports books
A decibel is a measure of the intensity of a
sound. The abbreviation is dB. together? Show your thinking.
d) Which graph helped you answer
part c)? Why did you choose this
graph?
Exposure to sounds above 85 dB for a long time
can lead to hearing loss. e) The library has $12 000 to spend on
books based on their popularity. How
much money should be spent for each
category? Show your work.
f) Which graph did you use to answer
part e)? Why did you choose this
graph?

1.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Graphs • MHR 15

10. The pictograph shows the results of the 12. A grade 8 class recorded the following
election for the grade 8 representative on percent scores on a Math test:
the students’ council. 78 65 49 72 89 73 68 70 78 85
Grade 8 Representative 44 51 75 95 88 63 58 67 90 48
Ari 56 77 98 40 63 89 91 82 76 59
Bai
a) Organize the data into groups and
Niki develop a frequency table.
Tuong
b) List the different graphs that could be
represents 10 votes used to display the data.
c) Which graph would most effectively
a) Draw a bar graph to show the data in display the test scores? Explain your
the pictograph. choice.
b) Does the pictograph or the bar graph
more clearly show how students voted 13. A radio station was designing a web site
in this election? Explain your reasoning. for teen listeners. It surveyed 50 students
c) Would you recommend using a line
from each of two schools to find out
graph to show the data? Explain. which features most interested students.
Each student voted for the two features
d) Identify one advantage and one
they most wanted to see on the web site.
disadvantage of using a circle graph
Entertainment Music Message
to show the data. School News Downloads Contests Boards

Queen
11. A store manager tracks jewellery sales for 40 45 5 10
Elizabeth
one month.
Hillside 20 35 25 20
Week Items Sold
1 14 a) Choose one type of graph to represent
the data. Explain your choice.
2 25
3 39 b) What two categories are the most
important for students from Queen
4 65
Elizabeth?
Total 143

a) Use two different graphs to represent 14. Janice surveyed ten friends about their
the data. favourite colour of Freezie™ to stock in
b) Compare the two graphs. Is one graph the school store. She used this line graph
more effective in representing the data? to show the data.
Explain your reasoning. Favourite Freezie™
Orange
c) Should the store continue to sell this
Red
jewellery? Explain your thinking.
Colours

Blue

Pink

Purple

White
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Votes

16 MHR • Chapter 1
 a) How could you improve this graph?
b) Why is using a line graph not a good
choice in this case? Explain your 16. Here is an
reasoning. incomplete
line graph.
15. Search various media, such as magazines, a) Describe a
newspapers, and the Internet, for scenario to
information about music or sports that represent the 0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June
has been represented in a graph. Print or data on this
cut out the graph. Glue or tape it into graph. Then, complete the graph.
your notebook.
b) Draw another graph to show the data.
a) Write and answer two questions about
c) State one disadvantage of using each
the data in the graph.
graph to show the data.
b) Represent the data using a different
kind of graph. 17. Prepare a survey question that would give
c) Write and answer two questions about you data that are appropriate to display in
the data that can be answered by your a circle graph.
new graph. Your questions should be a) How many different options does your
different from the ones you wrote in question have? Is your question likely
part a). to have a different number of people
d) Compare the two graphs. Describe an responding to each option?
advantage and a disadvantage of using b) Explain why the circle graph is
each graph. preferable to other graphs for
displaying this data.
c) Prepare another survey question
that would give you data that are
appropriate to display in a different
graph of your choice.

MATH LINK
Survey the students in your class about their favourite type of
music from a list of five or six different types. Consider including
the following choice on the survey: None of the above.
a) Record the data in a tally chart and create a frequency table.
b) Draw a graph of your data.
c) Explain an advantage and a disadvantage of using your
graph format to display the data.

1.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Graphs • MHR 17

 Misrepresenting Data

Focus on…
After this lesson, you
will be able to...
φ explain how the
size of the
intervals on a
graph could be
misleading
φ explain how
the visual
representation
of a graph could Kevin likes to stand in front of the fun house Literacy Link
misrepresent data mirrors when he visits the World of Science. Distort means to
φ explain how the Someone looking at an image of Kevin in a curved change the
size of bars on a mirror would know that it was distorted. How can appearance or twist
graph could be you tell by looking at a graph if it has been the meaning of
misleading something in a way
distorted? that is misleading.
φ identify
conclusions that
do not agree with
a given data set
or graph and
explain the What are some ways to misrepresent data?
misinterpretation These two graphs display the same data in different ways.
Sales (July to December) Sales (July to December)
800 700

700 650

600 600
Quantity

500 550
• grid paper (optional)
Quantity

• ruler 400 500

• coloured pencil 300 450

200 400

100 350

0 0
J A S O N D J A S O N D

Month Month

Graph A Graph B

18 MHR • Chapter 1
 1. How are the graphs the same? Literacy Link
A break in the y-axis of a graph means the
2. How are the graphs different? length of the axis has been shortened. The
break can be shown as
3. Which graph gives a more accurate
representation of the sales trend? Explain.
or
4. Change the scale of Graph B to go from
0 to 2000. Draw the new graph.

Reflect on Your Findings

5. How can the scale on a graph affect the conclusions someone might
make about the data?

Example 1: Distorting the Scale

Matthew’s Math test scores are displayed on the bar graph.
Matthew’s Test Scores
70

68

66
Score

64

62

60

0
Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4

Test

a) According to the graph, what did Matthew receive on each test?

b) From the graph, what appears
to be true about Matthew’s improvement over the four test scores?
What part of the graph has been distorted to create this impression?
c) How should the graph be drawn to represent Matthew’s progress
more accurately?
d) What would be a more accurate conclusion about his improvement?

Solution
a) He received scores of 60, 65, 68, and 69.

b) The graph suggests that Matthew’s test scores have improved

significantly over the four tests. The break in the scale on the
vertical axis creates this misleading impression.

1.2 Misrepresenting Data • MHR 19

 c) The graph should be redrawn Matthew’s Test Scores
70
with a continuous scale that
60
starts at zero. This would show
that Matthew’s test scores have 50

Score
improved, but not by as much as 40

the first graph suggests. 30

20

10

0
Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4

Test

d) Matthew’s test scores have improved a small amount over the last
four tests. The greatest increase was from Test 1 to Test 2.

Explain how this graph could be

a) Gas Prices on Monday

Price Per L ($)

1.19
misleading.
1.14
b) What conclusion does the graph
0
suggest about the price of gas at the 7 a.m. 7 p.m.
end of the day compared with the Time of Day
price at the beginning of the day?
c) Describe how to redraw the graph
to represent the data more accurately.

Example 2: Distorting the Visuals

a) From the pictograph, which pet Favourite Pets of Grade 8 Students
seems to be the favourite? Explain.
Cat
b) From the pictograph, does it Dog
seem that more students like Fish
cats or dogs? Explain.
represents the choice of 10 students
c) How should the pictograph be represents the choice of 10 students

redrawn to represent the data represents the choice of 10 students

more accurately?

20 MHR • Chapter 1
Solution
a) Fish appear to be the favourite pets because the line for fish is the
longest one and the symbol for fish is much larger.

b) It seems as if more students like dogs than cats because the line for
dogs is longer than the one for cats.

c) The pictograph should be redrawn so that each symbol is the same

size, since each symbol represents the choice of ten students. Also,
the symbols need to be spaced the same distance apart.

a)Explain how this graph Favourite Lunch Specials

could be misleading.
Pizza
b) What conclusion does Macaroni
and Cheese
the graph suggest about Hamburger
favourite lunch specials?
represents the choice of 10 people
c) How could you redraw represents the choice of 10 people
the graph to represent the represents the choice of 10 people

data more accurately?

Example 3: Distorting the Size of Bars

Computer Sales Computer Sales

5000 5000

4000 4000
Number
Number

3000 3000

2000 2000

1000 1000

0 0
Desk Lap Desk Lap
tops tops tops tops
Category Category

Graph A Graph B

a) From Graph A, how many times more sales are there of desktops
than laptops? Is this an accurate representation? Explain.
b) From Graph B, how many times more sales are there of desktops
than laptops? How could Graph B be misleading?

1.2 Misrepresenting Data • MHR 21

 Solution
a) Graph A shows sales of 4000 desktops and 2000 laptops. This is
twice as many sales of desktops as laptops. The graph is an accurate
representation of the data. The bar for desktops is twice as high as
the bar for laptops.
Recall that Area = l × w.
In Graph B, the area of
b) Graph B shows sales of 4000 desktops and 2000 laptops. This is
the desktops bar is four
times as great as the twice as many sales of desktops as laptops. The bar for desktops is
laptops bar. This could twice as wide as the bar for laptops. Even though Graph B displays
suggest that desktop the same data as Graph A, the greater area of the first bar in Graph
sales are four times as
great as laptop sales.
B suggests that the sales were much higher. The size of the first bar
produces a misleading graph.

Explain how this graph could be

a) Annual Cost of Taking
misleading. Care of a Bike
40
b) What conclusion does the graph suggest

Cost ($)
20
about the annual cost in 1997 compared
0
with the annual cost in 2007? 1997 2007

c) Describe how to redraw the graph to Year

represent the data more accurately.

• Misleading graphs can cause people to misinterpret the data and draw
false conclusions.
• The format of a graph can be misleading. Misleading features include
distorting the scale distorting the information by
using visuals of different sizes
Families That Own Computers
375
Skateboards Beat Out Bicycles
325 40
Votes
Number of Families

275 38

225 0
Skateboards Bicycles
175
Category
125

75

25

0
1980 1990 2000 2010

Year

22 MHR • Chapter 1
 1. Travis recorded the following data about how he spends Activity Time (h)
his day. Chores 1
a) How would you make a bar graph to help argue that Eating 2.5
Travis spends most of his time sleeping or going to school? Homework 2.5
b) How would you make a bar graph that Travis could use to School 6.5
argue that he spends almost as much time on homework Sleep 7
as he does at school? Sports 2.5
TV 2
Total 24

Favourite Ice Cream

2. a) Sophie surveyed her friends about their
favourite flavour of ice cream. What
information is missing on the graph? Vanilla
20%
b) How could you present this data more
accurately? Chocolate
Strawberry 60%
20%
3. When might it be to someone’s advantage
to present distorted data? Share your
answer with a partner.

For help with #4 and #5, refer to Example 1 on Temperature on a Hot Day
pages 19–20. 31

30
4. Samantha recorded the temperature on a
29
hot day. She displayed the data in a line
Temperature (°C)

28
graph.
27
a) Explain how this graph could be
26
misleading.
25
b) What conclusion does the graph suggest
24
about the changes in temperature?
0
c) How should the graph be redrawn to
10 .

12 .
.

.
.m
a.m

p.m

.m

.m
2p

4p
8a

make the data clearer? Time

1.2 Misrepresenting Data • MHR 23

 5. The election results for student council 7. The graph in this advertisement shows
president were displayed in a bar graph. the results of a taste test.
B Wins Majority Vote Move over Bonzo, The Big Cheese is in town!
200

175
Number of Votes

150

125

100
The Big Cheese Bonzo Burger
75 56% 44%
0
A B C a) Which burger seems to be the
Candidate favourite? Explain.
b) How is the graph misleading?
a) How many times taller does the bar for
c) How should the graph be redrawn to
B appear than the bar for A?
represent the data more accurately?
b) How many times as great are the votes
for B than the votes for A?
For help with #8 and #9, refer to Example 3 on
c) What conclusion does the graph suggest
pages 21–22.
about the election results?
d) How could the graph be redrawn to 8. The graph shows the progress of friends
make the data clearer? who are playing a video game.
Quest Progress
Literacy Link
Majority means more than 50%. Scott
Players

Bryce
For help with #6 and #7, refer to Example 2 on
0 10 12 14 16 18
pages 20–21.
Level Completed
6. a) From the pictograph, which fruit seems
to sell the best? Explain. a) Explain how this graph could be
misleading.
Fruit Sales in One Week
b) What conclusion does the graph suggest
Apples
about Scott’s progress compared with
Peaches
Bryce’s progress?
Cherries
c) Describe how to redraw the graph to
represents 20 kg
represent the data more accurately.
represents 20 kg
represents 20 kg

b) Does it seem that more cherries were

sold or more peaches? Explain.
c) How should the pictograph be redrawn
to represent the data more accurately?

24 MHR • Chapter 1
 9. The two graphs show the number of 11. Charles kept a record of his Math quiz
health bars sold by two students. scores for this term.
Health Bar Sales Health Bar Sales Quiz 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
160 148
Score (%) 65 66 69 70 75 72 77 80

Number of Bars
140 146

120 144 a) He wants to make a distorted graph

that will show a great improvement in
Number of Bars

100 142

80 140 his quiz scores. Draw such a graph.

60 0 b) Draw a new graph that displays the
Chris Megan
40 data more accurately.
Student
20 c) How are the two graphs different?
0 Graph B
Chris Megan
12. a) Explain how this graph is misleading.
Student
Vote is a Three-Way Split
Graph A 500

Number of Votes
400
a) How are the two graphs different? 300

b) For each graph, what conclusion would 200

you make about health bar sales? 100

c) Which graph gives a more accurate 0

A B C
comparison of sales? Explain.
Candidate

b) Based on the graph, what can you

conclude about the outcome of the
10. a) Explain how this graph is misleading. voting?
Profits c) Does the data support the claim made
600 in the title? If not, reword it to correct
500 the misinformation.
Profit ($)

400

300 13. a) The two circle graphs are meant to

200 represent the same information. Does
0 it appear that way? Explain.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June

Month A A
25% D 25%
D B 35%
b) From the graph, what conclusion 35% 15%
can you make about the profits B
15%
C
from January to June? 25%
C
c) Draw a new graph using a vertical scale 25%
from 0 to 600. What conclusion can Graph A Graph B
you now make about the profits from
January to June? b) Identify the errors in Graph A.

1.2 Misrepresenting Data • MHR 25

14. Two grade 8 classes collected cans for the c) Draw a new graph to represent the data
food drive. Ms. Chan’s class brought in more accurately.
100 cans. Mr. Rajwani’s class brought in
200 cans. Luke made this graph to display 16. An ice cream store developed the
the results. following graph to advertise its ice cream.
Cool Flavours

Ms. Chan’s class

Dairy Tasty

Mr. Rajwani’s class $4.5 million $4.3 million

a) How is this graph misleading? a) What ice cream store do you believe
b) Based on the graph, what can you developed this graph? Explain.
conclude about the canned food drive? b) How is the graph misleading?
c) Draw a different graph that is not
misleading. 17. A small town recorded crime statistics
over the last six years.
15. The grade 8 students voted on where to Year 1 2 3 4 5 6
hold their year-end party. The results of Number of Crimes 3 6 6 2 3 4
the vote were presented in this graph.
a) Make a bar graph to display the data.
Grade 8s Want a Year-End Party
b) Total the number of crimes for every
Beach two years. Make a new bar graph to
display these data.
Location

Park c) What can you conclude from the

second bar graph? Do the data in the
Pool table support your statement? Explain.
d) How is the second graph misleading?
0 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55

Number of Votes
18. Grade 8 students were surveyed about
a) Based on the graph, how many times their weekly use of a computer.
more popular was the beach than the Less than
pool? Time Daily 2 to 6 days 2 days
b) Leah concluded that the majority of the Frequency 12 20 8
students want to go to the beach. Is she Draw a diagram to support an argument
correct? Explain. that Grade 8 students are not using the
computer too often.
26 MHR • Chapter 1
19. a) Which category on the graph does the 21. Paul’s Pizza is a franchise that is starting
government want the public to notice a campaign to recapture pizza sales. The
the most? following graphs will be used to advertise
Provincial Budget 2008-2009
their food products.
Paul’s Pizza Paul’s Pizza Sales
Energy Housing 7
Annual Sales
13% Hawaiian
24% 6

5 Pepperoni
Education Canadian

Millions ($)
24% 4
Cheese
3
Others
4% Health 2
27%
1 Survey taken on July 1, 2007
Transportation 0
8% 1998 2001 2004 2007

b) Explain how this graph could a) How might these graphs mislead
mislead people. people? List as many misleading
c) Draw a new graph to represent features as you can.
the data more accurately. b) Suggest ways to improve the graphs
so that they are not misleading.

22. Search various media, such as magazines,

20. Prepare a survey question that requires newspapers, and the Internet, for an
making a choice from a list of several example of a graph that misleads people
options. about a scientific topic. Print or cut out
the graph. Glue or tape it into your
a) Survey the students in your class.
notebook.
Record the data in a chart.
a) Draw a new graph to represent the
b) Make a graph that distorts the data.
data accurately.
c) Explain how your graph is misleading.
b) Does your graph support the statement
made in the original graph? Explain.

MATH LINK
Search the Internet, magazines, or newspapers for data about music sales
for different artists. Choose an argument to make about the music sales. Web Link
For information about
a) Draw a graph that supports your argument about which artists are selling
music sales, go to
more than others. www.mathlinks8.ca
b) How would you change your graph to support the opposite of your and follow the links.
argument?

1.2 Misrepresenting Data • MHR 27

 Critiquing Data Presentation
THE DAILY NEWS Sept 24 2007

Focus on… DNA Testing Helps setting specific harvest targets to

Commercial Fishers protect the weaker stocks and allow
After this lesson, more fishing of the stronger ones.
you will be able to... Thanks to DNA testing, B.C.’s Between 1995 and 2001, fisheries
φ explain how a commercial fishers can expect to used coded-wire tags inserted into
graph is used to catch as much as 90% of their quota salmon to estimate the populations of
of chinook salmon this year. different runs of salmon. They used
represent the this information to limit the catch
Since 2002, scientists have been
data from a using DNA testing to determine and the areas open to fishing for the
given situation accurately where fish are originally following year. Using this method,
from. As a result, fishery officials can only about 15% of the available quota
better manage the fish stocks by was harvested in 2001.

Tyler is presenting his current 250

DNA Testing Increases Chinook Catch
events report to his grade 8
Number of Fish (1000s)

Quota
200
Social Studies class. His report Catch
150
A run refers to a includes a newspaper article
100
group of salmon that about chinook salmon and the
were hatched in the 50
bar graph shown. Does the bar
same place. During 0
the salmon run, the graph support the story? 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

fish swim back up Year

rivers to their
birthplace to spawn.

Literacy Link Does the graph represent what it says it does?

A stacked bar graph
has bars stacked 1. Examine the graph about the chinook salmon catch. Why do
instead of side-by- you think the author used a stacked bar graph? Is it effective?
side.

2. Decide if the graph is misleading.

a) Examine the scales on the vertical and horizontal axes.
What do you notice?
b) How could you make the graph easier to understand?

3. The genetic testing of salmon began in 2002. The graph shows the
quotas and catches since 1995. Use the graph and the information
in the article to help answer the following questions.

28 MHR • Chapter 1
 a) What support is there for the idea that relying on coded-wire tags
limited the catch of salmon?
b) What support is there for the idea that DNA testing has increased
the chinook catch?

Reflect on Your Findings

4. What factors should you consider when you critique a graph for
whether it represents a situation accurately?

Example: Critiquing a Graph

Bindi recorded the scores for two grade 8 classes that wrote the same test.
Class A (32 students) Class B (27 students)
Score (%) Frequency Score (%) Frequency
50–59 3 50–59 2
60–69 5 60–69 3
70–79 13 70–79 8
80–89 7 80–89 13
90–99 4 90–99 1

She decided to display the data on two circle graphs.

Class A Test Scores (32 students) Class B Test Scores (27 students)
50-59% 90-99% 50-59%
90-99% 9% 4% 7%
13% 60-69%
60-69% 11%
80-89% 16%
22% 80-89%
48% 70-79%
70-79%
40% 30%

a) Why do you think Bindi used two circle graphs to display the data?
b) Are the graphs misleading? Explain.
c) State two conclusions that you can make based on the graphs.
d) Draw a double bar graph to display the data.
e) List the advantages and disadvantages of using a double bar graph
to display the data.

Solution
a) There are more students in Class A than in Class B. By making
circle graphs, Bindi can compare the percent of students who
scored in each category. It would be less meaningful to compare
the number of students who scored in each category.

1.3 Critiquing Data Presentation • MHR 29

 b) The circle graphs are not misleading. Each sector of the graph is
labelled with the category and percent, and the title includes the
number of students in each class.
c) Two possible conclusions are:
• The majority of the students in both classes scored between 70%
and 89%. A greater number of students in Class B scored between
70% and 89% than students in Class A.
• A total of 35% (11 students) in Class A scored over 80%. A total
of 52% (14 students) in Class B scored over 80%. Therefore, a
greater percent of students in Class B scored over 80% than
students in Class A.
d)
Class A and Class B Test Scores
14

12
Number of Students

10 Class A

8 Class B

0
50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89% 90-99%

Score

e) A double bar graph lets you compare the number of students who
scored in each interval. It does not let you compare the percent of
students who scored in each interval. Comparing the number of
students in each interval is less meaningful in this case because the
class sizes are not the same.

A group of teens picked pears Number of Baskets Tally Frequency

during the pear harvest. The Three ||| 3
number of teens that picked
Four |||| 5
each number of baskets is
Five |||| |||| 9
shown in the table.
Six |||| 5
The circle graph shows the
Seven ||| 3
percent of teens that picked
each number of baskets. Baskets of Pears Picked (25 teens)
a) What is an advantage of displaying Three Four
the data on a circle graph? 12% 20%
Seven
12%
b) Is the graph misleading? Explain.
Six Five
c) State two conclusions that you can 20% 36%
make based on the graph.

30 MHR • Chapter 1
• When critiquing a graph, it is important to consider several factors:
Graph type: Is the graph the best choice for displaying the data?
Graph format: Is the graph designed in a way that represents the
data accurately?
Graph usefulness: Is the graph informative? Does the graph
support a claim or an argument?

1. a) Is the pictograph an effective way to display the Transportation

data about how students get to school? Explain.
Walk
b) Is the graph misleading? Explain. Bike
Drive
c) How informative is the graph? How could it
represents 10 students
be made even more informative? represents 10 students
represents 10 students
d) Suggest another type of graph to display the
data. Give an advantage and a disadvantage
of using this graph.

2. Danny made a graph to record his Running Times

90
running times over a six-week period.
88
a) What can you conclude about
86
Danny’s performance from this
Time (s)

84
graph?
82
b) How might this graph be 80
misleading? How would you 78
improve this graph?
76

0
1 2 3 4 5 6

Week

3. Your friend missed the lesson on critiquing graphs. Write her an

explanation of how to critique graphs and why it is important to
do so.

1.3 Critiquing Data Presentation • MHR 31

 c) State two conclusions that you can
make from this graph.
d) Why would you not represent the data
For help with #4 to #6, refer to the Example on
pages 29–30. in a double line graph?

4. Madison surveyed grade 8 students about 5. a) Identify two conclusions you can make
which method they use most often to based on this double bar graph.
communicate with friends.
Time Spent on Internet
25
Means of

Number of Students
Grade 8
Communication Girls Boys 20
Grade 9
Internet chat 13 11 15

In person 9 11 10

5
Telephone (land line) 7 5
0
Cell phone 1 3 Less than 1 to less 2 to less 3 to less 4 to less More than
1h than 2 h than 3 h than 4 h than 5 h 5h
Text messaging 2 2 Time Per Week
E-mail 1 1
b) Is the graph misleading? Explain.
Total 33 33
c) What improvements would you
She decided to make a double bar recommend for this graph?
graph to display the data. d) What is one advantage of using a
Communicating With Friends
double bar graph to display the data?
e) Would another type of graph be more
E-mail
informative? Explain your reasoning.

Text Messaging Girls 6. a) What are two conclusions you can

make based on this circle graph?
Ways to Communicate

Boys
Cell Phone
Cars in Parking Lot (50 cars)

Telephone Other
8%
SUV
28%
In Person
Sedan
36%
Compact
Internet 8%
Minivan
20%
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Number of Students
b) Is the graph misleading? Explain.
a) Why did Madison choose a double bar c) What is one advantage of using a circle
graph to display the data? graph to display the data?
b) Is this graph misleading? Explain. d) Would another type of graph be more
informative? Explain your reasoning.

32 MHR • Chapter 1
 He displayed the data in a bar graph.
Calculators Sold by Colour
60
7. The school web site posted a survey about
50
the type of organization that grade 8 students

Number
would support if they had $1000 to donate. 40

Each student was allowed to vote once. Colin 30

made two graphs to display the data. 20

0
Favourite Foundations (85 votes) Pink Blue Orange Silver Black
Environment Colour
7%
Arts, Culture,
Sports 15% a) Why might Truong claim that blue
calculators are about three times as
International Health popular as orange calculators? Is he
Aid 38%
20%
correct? Explain.
b) Redraw the graph so it is more
Wildlife
20% accurate. What conclusions can you
make from the graph you drew?
c) Draw a circle graph to display the data.
Favourite Foundations
36 d) Give an advantage of using a circle graph.
30
Number of Students

24 9. The director of a ski school tracked the

18 snowboard rentals for one week.
12 Snowboard Type Number
6 Freestyle 59
0 Freerider 138
h

life

ts

nt
alt

Ai

or

me
ild

Sp
He

al

Freecarve 49
on
W

on

re,

vir
ati

ltu

En
ern

Cu

Alpine 41
Int

ts,
Ar

Foundation Total 287

a) Create a graph to display the data.
Imagine that you are a spokesperson for b) What conclusions can you make
a youth health foundation. Which graph based on your graph?
would you use to encourage people to
c) Give an advantage of using the type
donate to your foundation? Explain why.
of graph you made.
8. Truong recorded the d) Exchange graphs with a classmate
Colour Number
sales of different and critique each other’s graph.
Pink 45
colours of graphing What improvements can you make
Blue 56 to your graph?
calculators during
Orange 25
the last month.
Silver 35
Black 44
Total 205

1.3 Critiquing Data Presentation • MHR 33

10. Chloe recorded the Day Hours 8.00
Manitoba’s Minimum Wage
number of hours Monday 2 7.90
7.80
she spent on
Tuesday 1 7.70
homework over 7.60
Wednesday 2.5
the past six days. 7.50

Minimum Wage ($)

Thursday 1.5 7.40
She displayed the 7.30
Friday 0.5
data in a circle 7.20
Saturday 6 7.10
graph. 7.00
Total 13.5 6.90
6.80
6.70
Time Spent on Homework (13.5 h)
6.60
6.50
6.40
Mon and Tues
22% 6.30
6.20
Fri and Sat 6.10
48% Wed and Thurs
6.00
30% 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Year

Graph B

a) Chloe feels that the time she spends on a) Describe how each of the graphs is
homework has been increasing over the misleading.
last six days. Why might she think so? b) Which graph would support a claim
Is she correct? Explain your reasoning. that wages have not increased much
b) Is Chloe’s graph misleading? If yes, over time? Write a statement to support
redraw the graph so it is more accurate. such a claim using the data.
c) What conclusions can you make based c) Who would use Graph B to support
on the new graph? a claim to the government about
d) Display the data in a bar graph. changing the minimum wage—an
e) What conclusions can you make based employer or an employee? Explain.
on the bar graph?
12. The graphs show the following sales for
f) Is a bar graph a better way to display
the first six months of the year for two
the data than a circle graph? Explain.
car dealerships.
Month Connor’s Cars Amy’s Autos
January 12 1
11. The two graphs show the same data about February 15 8
Manitoba’s minimum wage.
March 20 11
Manitoba’s Minimum Wage April 3 10
8

May 5 13
Minimum
Wage ($)

7
June 2 14
6

0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Year

Graph A
34 MHR • Chapter 1
 Car Sales
Car Sales
25
June
20
Amy’s Autos

Number Sold
15
Connor’s Autos
May
10
Amy’s Autos 5
Apr Connor’s Cars 0
Month

J F M A M J

Mar Month

Graph B
Feb

a) Which graph did the manager of

Jan Connor’s Cars likely develop? Explain.
b) What conclusions can you make based
0 5 10 15 20 25
on the line graph?
Number Sold

Graph A

MATH LINK
The organizers of a music concert are deciding between two performers
as their headline attraction for a concert in December. The organizers
want to use recording sales data to help make their decision. Consider
the following graphs.

Recording Sales Over 6 Months Recording Sales Over 6 Months

35
A
30
B
25
Sales (1000s)

A 20
43%
B 15
57%
10

0
J F M A M J

Month

a) What information does each graph provide? Explain.

b) The organizers know they must attract a large crowd to cover expenses.
Which performer would you select? Justify your answer.

1.3 Critiquing Data Presentation • MHR 35

Key Words 7. Michelle recorded Activity Time (h)
data about how
For #1 to #5, choose the letter that best matches Chores 1.5
she spends time on
each description. a typical Saturday. Eating 2
1. best for comparing A bar graph Homework 2.5
a) List as many
categories using percents
B double bar different ways to Sleep 9
2. compares one set of data display the data Friends 3
graph
using horizontal or appropriately as Sports 4
vertical bars C line graph you can. TV 2
3. uses symbols to represent D interval b) Choose and Total 24
large quantities of data E circle graph
draw one type of
4. shows changes in data graph to show the data.
F pictograph
over time c) State an advantage of the graph that
5. compares two sets of data across you chose. State a disadvantage of one
categories type of graph that you did not choose.

1.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of 8. Describe a situation in which you would

Different Graphs, pages 6–17 use each of the following to display data:
6. The number of books in a classroom a) bar graph b) double bar graph
library is shown on these graphs. c) circle graph d) line graph
Classroom Library Classroom Library
Books (48 books) Books 1.2 Misrepresenting Data, pages 18–27
Number of Books

25
20
Science 15 9. The graph shows the number of electronic
Fiction 10 devices that grade 8 students own.
Fiction 25%
5
50% 0 Electronic Devices Owned
Sports Science Sports History Fiction by Grade 8 Students
19% Fiction
Category Computer

History
6%
Device

Cell Phone
a) Which graph helps you decide how
many more sports books than history
MP3 Player
books there are? Explain. Could the
other graph help you answer the 0 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
question? Explain. Number
b) Which graph would most help you
decide how to spend $1000 on new a) The graph shows that there are more
books based on what the class has? computers than MP3 players and cell
How much money should be spent on phones added together. Is this true?
each category? Show your work. Describe how the graph is misleading.

36 MHR • Chapter 1
 b) Draw an accurate graph. c) What other way might you display the
c) What conclusions can you make data? List an advantage of the graph
from your new graph? you chose.

10. The results of a pizza taste

Literacy Link
Someone who is ambidextrous is able to use
test showed that Mega Pizza
both hands equally well.
was the favourite.
a) How is this graph Mega Pizza
60%
misleading? 13. Two television comedy shows are
b) Draw a new graph to competing for sponsorship from an
represent the data more advertiser. The ratings for four seasons
accurately. Mr. Pizza are shown in the table. The ratings are
40%
a percent of the total viewing audience.
11. Greg’s company Number % Ratings
makes 2500 school Day Rejected Show Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4
lockers each day. Monday 45 Laughing
Some lockers are 21 16 18 17
Tuesday 40 Out Loud
rejected if they do Wednesday 25 Open Mike
not meet 12 13 14 15
Comics
Thursday 30
standards. The
Friday 35
table shows the 21
Comedy Show Ratings
number of rejected Total 175 20 Laughing Out Loud
Season 4 Ratings
19 Open Mike Comics 17.5
lockers. 18 17
a) Greg wants to exaggerate the number

Rating (%)
17 16.5
Rating (%)

16 16
of lockers rejected on Monday. Draw a 15 15.5
graph to create this impression. 14 15
13 14.5
b) Make a new graph to represent the data 12 14
accurately. 11 0
Laughing Open Mike
0
Out Loud Comics
c) Explain how the two graphs are different. 1 2 3 4
Season Comedy Show

Graph A Graph B
1.3 Critiquing Data Presentation,
pages 28–35 a) What rating information does each
12. The graph represents Right-Handed, Left- graph provide?
data about which Handed, or Ambidextrous? b) Suggest a catchy new title for each
(58 students)
hand grade 8 students Left-Handed Ambidextrous graph. Explain why you recommend
use to write. 9% 11% each title.
a) What conclusions c) Which graph do you think was created
can you make by the producer of Open Mike Comics?
from this graph? Explain.
Right-Handed
b) Is the circle graph 80% d) Which graph do you think was created
an appropriate by the producer of Laughing Out
way to present the data? Explain. Loud? Explain.

Chapter Review • MHR 37

For #1 to #3, select the best answer. 5. Zach wants to draw a graph to show
changes over time. He should use a 
1. Which type of graph is best used for
graph.
comparing each category of data with
the whole?
Short Answer
A bar graph B circle graph
6. The graphs display population data of
C line graph D pictograph
selected provinces.
Population in 2006
Population in 2006
2. Which type of graph is best used to 4.5 (9 520 500 people)
4
compare the number of boys and girls Saskatchewan

Population (millions)
3.5 10%
born in each month of the year? 3
2.5 Alberta
A double bar graph 35%
2
B double line graph 1.5 Manitoba
1 12%
C two circle graphs 0.5 British Columbia
0 43%
D two pictographs rta

b h

ba

n
lum itis

wa
ito
be

M ia
Co Br

he
an
Al

atc
sk
Sa
3. Energy bars cost 25¢ in 1985, 50¢ in Province
1995, and 75¢ in 2005. How is this
a) Do both graphs provide the same
graph misleading?
information? Explain.
Cost of Energy Bars
1.00 b) Which graph best shows that Alberta’s
Triples in 20 Years
0.75 population is almost three times as
Cost ($)

0.50
great as the population of Manitoba?
0.25
Explain.
0 Activity Votes
1985 1995 2005 7. Brenden recorded
Bowling 17
Year the results of a
Beach picnic 32
survey of grade 8s
A The intervals on the vertical scale are to determine their Inline skating 15
not equal. favourite choice Movie 10
B The 2005 bar is three times taller than of activity for the Total 74
the 1985 bar. year-end field trip.
C The width of the bars varies. His results are shown.
D The scale starts at 0. a) Display the data using a bar graph.
b) Display the data using a circle graph.
Complete the statements in #4 and #5. c) Which graph best displays the data?
Explain.
4. Symbols are used to represent data on a
.

38 MHR • Chapter 1
 8. One hundred grade 8 students were Extended Response
surveyed about their favourite ways to 9. Use the data about
Game Ticket Sales
spend spare time. ticket sales for a
1 125
Favourite Ways to Spend Time basketball game to
create a bar graph. 2 150
Other Use the same data 3 250
to create another 4 350
Reading graph that is 5 300
misleading. Explain
Internet how it is misleading.
Activity

Video or 10. The following graph is

Computer Games
partially completed. 12

10
Sports a) Describe a scenario
8
to represent the
Television
data on this graph. 6

Then, complete 4

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 the graph. 2

Number of Students b) Draw another 0

. . .
.m .m .m .m
.
1p 2p 3p 4p
graph to show
a) State two conclusions you can make based
the data.
on the graph. Write a more descriptive title.
c) Does each graph provide the same
b) Is the graph misleading? Explain.
information? Explain.
c) Display the data using another graph of
d) Which graph best represents the
your choice.
information from the scenario that
d) Give an advantage or a disadvantage of you created? Explain.
representing the data on the new graph.

WRAP IT UP!
Suppose you are a reporter for the school’s newspaper. Search
the Internet, magazines, or newspapers for data about a topic
related to the music industry. For example, you might want to
use data about sales, favourite artists, attendance at tours, or
popularity of different types of music.
a) Make a table that displays your data.

b) Decide on two different ways to represent the data by

drawing one graph that represents the data accurately
and another graph that misrepresents the data.
c) You have been asked to write articles that relate to each of your graphs.
What will the headlines of your articles be? Explain your thinking.

Practice Test • MHR 39

The Plot Thickens
• 2 dice per pair of
1. Play The Plot Thickens with a partner. These are the rules: students
• Each player rolls one die to decide who will play first. If
there is a tie, roll again.
• For each turn, roll the two dice and add the values.
• Record your total from each turn.
The total that I rolled five
times was 6, so I scored six
In my first four turns, I rolled totals of 7, 5, 11, and 7. points for the round.
x
x x x
_____________________________
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

• The first player to roll the same total five times wins the round.
• The winner of the round scores the total that he/she rolled
five times.
• The player who loses a round plays first in the next round.
• The first player to reach 20 points wins the game.

2. a) Suggest other ways of recording

and displaying the data from
The Plot Thickens.
b) Play the game again. Record
and display the data in a
way you suggested.

3. Play modified versions

of the game by using
different numbers of
dice or by determining
products instead
of sums.

40 MHR • Chapter 1
Keep Your Community Green
Communities across Canada are concerned about the volume of waste
they produce. As a result, many cities and towns have recycling
programs. How well does your community do?
You be the researcher. Research data related to recycling in your
community. Then, choose another Canadian community. Obtain
recycling data from it too.

1. Compare the two sets of data and then represent the data in the
following two different ways.
a) Make one graph that misrepresents the data. For example, it
could make it appear that your community is better at recycling
when the other community is actually better.
b) Make a second graph that accurately represents the data.

2. Write a brief news article for your community paper using the graphs
that showcase your community.

Challenge in Real Life • MHR 41