Interpreting Charts and Graphs

In order to read and interpret graphs, it is important to understand what the parts of a graph tell us. Let’s start by looking at bar graphs.

Bar Graphs

Used to compare data between different groups

Allows you to make quick generalizations

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Unit 1 Test Results

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Unit 1 Test Results

Parts of a Bar Graph

uses keywords to tell what the graph is aboutTitle

Labels

Scaleshows the units used on the y axis

explains what kind of data is shown on the x and y axis

represent the data amount for each group

Bars

Now let’s take a look at what line graphs can tell us.

Line Graphs

Track change over time

Allows you to see small changes

Can see change for more than one group over the same time period. (multiple line graphs)

Raffle Tickets Sold by the 7th Grade Class

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Raffle Tickets Sold by the 7th Grade Class

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Parts of a Line Graphuses keywords to tell what the graph is aboutTitle

Labels

Scaleshows the units used on the y axis

explains what kind of data is shown on the x and y axis

Pointsrepresents the data amount

Lineconnects the data points

Now let’s take a look at what circle graphs can tell us.

Circle Graphs or Pie Charts

Allows you to compare parts of a whole

Pet Survey for 8th Grade

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Cats Dogs Cats and Dogs No Pets Fish

Pet Survey for 8th Grade

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45%15%

25%

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Cats Dogs Cats and Dogs No Pets Fish

Parts of a Circle Graph

uses keywords to tell what the graph is aboutTitle

Legend

explains what each sector or slice represents

Sectorsrepresents one part of the dataset

Let’s practice interpreting different types of graphs. The questions without multiple choice answers are questions to think about. Those questions with multiple choice answers need to be answered as directed by your teacher.

Building Name CityHeight

(ft)Height

(m)Sears Tower Chicago 1451 442

Aon Center Chicago 1136 346

Empire State Building New York 1250 381

John Hancock Center Chicago 1127 344

Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago 1362 415

Bank of America Tower New York 1200 366

Chrysler Building New York 1046 319This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts.

Becker, Lynn. "The World's Tallest Buildings - America's latest Outsourcing".

Think about the table. What does this table represent? How do you know? What clues are there that tell youabout the information in this chart?

Tallest Buildings in the United States

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500

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1500

Sears Tow er Aon Center Empire StateBuilding

John HancockCenter

Trump InternationalHotel and Tow er

Bank of AmericaTow er

Chrysler Building

Building Name

Hei

gh

t (i

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t)

Answer the following on a notebook piece of paper and turn in.

1. What does the graph show?a. time it took to build these buildings

b. tallest buildings in the world d. tallest buildings in the United States

c. cost of the tallest buildings in the United States

Look at the bar graph that was created from the previous table.

Tallest Buildings in the United States

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250

500

750

1000

1250

1500

Sears Tow er Aon Center Empire StateBuilding

John HancockCenter

Trump InternationalHotel and Tow er

Bank of AmericaTow er

Chrysler Building

Building Name

Hei

gh

t (i

n f

t)

2. Which is the tallest building in the United States?

a. Sears Tower

b. Aon Center d. Empire State Building

c. Trump International Hotel and Tower

Look at the bar graph that was created from the previous table.

Tallest Buildings in the United States

0

250

500

750

1000

1250

1500

Sears Tow er Aon Center Empire StateBuilding

John HancockCenter

Trump InternationalHotel and Tow er

Bank of AmericaTow er

Chrysler Building

Building Name

Hei

gh

t (i

n f

t)

3. Which two buildings appear to be approximately the same height?a. Sears Tower and Trump International Hotel and Tower

b. Bank of America Tower and Sears Tower

d. Empire State Building and Chrysler Building

c. John Hancock Center and Aon Center

Look at the bar graph that was created from the previous table.

Tallest Buildings in the United States

0

250

500

750

1000

1250

1500

Sears Tow er Aon Center Empire StateBuilding

John HancockCenter

Trump InternationalHotel and Tow er

Bank of AmericaTow er

Chrysler Building

Building Name

Hei

gh

t (i

n f

t)

4. The Chrysler Building is the shortest bar. Does this mean it is the shortest building in the United States?

a.Yes b.No

Look at the bar graph that was created from the previous table.

Harris County Population Growth

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1,000,000

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1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2010

Year

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mb

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of

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ple

5. What does the graph show?

a. population growth in Harris County

b. salary growth in Harris County d. number of people in each county

c. number of years Harris County has existed

Look at the line graph. Read each of the parts of the graph.

Harris County Population Growth

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

3,000,000

3,500,000

4,000,000

1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2010

Year

Nu

mb

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of

Peo

ple

6. What does the y axis represent on this line graph?

a. which year the population grew

b. number of people d. none of these

c. number of years

Look at the line graph. Read each of the parts of the graph.

Harris County Population Growth

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

3,000,000

3,500,000

4,000,000

1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2010

Year

Nu

mb

er

of

Peo

ple

7. What can not be determined by looking at this graph?

a. between which decade the population increased

b. the approximate number of people in Harris County in 2000

d. that the population more than doubled between 1940 and 1960

c. the population of Houston in 1880

Look at the line graph. Read each of the parts of the graph.

8. Which table below best represents the circle graph?

Look at the circle graph. Read each part of the graph.

Summer Activities

Hanging Out with Friends Going on Vacation Going swimming

Activity Number of Students

Hanging out with friends

10

Going on Vacation

20

Going swimming

10

Activity Number of Students

Hanging out with friends

30

Going on Vacation

25

Going swimming

5

Activity Number of Students

Hanging out with friends

35

Going on Vacation

5

Going swimming

20

Activity Number of Students

Hanging out with friends

25

Going on Vacation

25

Going swimming

10

A. B. C. D.

9. What can not be determined by looking at this graph?

a. the number of people surveyed

b. the percentage of 8th graders who have dogs

d. ¼ of the 8th graders surveyed have no pets

c. twice as many people have cats rather than fish

Look at the circle graph. Read each part of the graph.

Pet Survey for 8th Grade

10%

45%15%

25%

5%

Cats Dogs Cats and Dogs No Pets Fish

10. Which type of graph would you choose to show ticket sales over a period of time?

a. bar graph

b. line graph d. none of these

c. circle graph

11. Which type of graph would best display what percent of the athletic shoe industry is dominated by Nike?

a. bar graph

b. line graph

d. none of these

c. circle graph

Sneakers Sold This Month

Brand Name

Number Sold

  Adidas 25

  Nike 32

  Reebok 10

  Asics 18

  Other 15

  Total 100

12. Which type of graph would best display the number sold for each company?

a. bar graph

b. line graph

d. none of these

c. circle graph

Sneakers Sold This Month

Brand Name

Number Sold

  Adidas 25

  Nike 32

  Reebok 10

  Asics 18

  Other 15

  Total 100