Rules for Graphing

Use graph paper and indent each axis.

Work in pencil and use a ruler.

Title the graph.

Variables

Decide which information goes at the bottom and which information goes up the side.

A variable is any factor that can change in an experiment.

The variable you control goes on the bottom. The responding variable goes up the vertical axis.

The X and Y axis

.The one you control is called the independent variable and the one that responds is called the dependent variable.

Label the Y-axis, the vertical axis, (up and down) and place the proper units in parenthesis.

Label the X-axis, the horizontal axis, and place the proper units in parenthesis.

Use labels and units

The one you control is called the independent variable and the one that responds is called the dependent variable.

Label the X-axis, the horizontal axis, and place the proper units in parenthesis.

Label the Y-axis, the vertical axis, (up and down) and place the proper units in parenthesis.

Use labels and units

XLabel (Units)

Label

(Units)

Y

Adding data

Spread your data out so that you use the whole page. Look at your lowest number and your highest number and determine how much each line should be worth. Example: Lowest number 20, highest number 52, so don’t need to start at 0.

Determine what kind of graph you need.

Plotting your data

Use a different color for multiple line graphs.

Make a key to show what each colored line represents.

Plot your data points and connect your data points if using a line graph.