How to graph in science.

graphing notes for all students, even the ugly ones

We want to graph!

Parts of the graph

x axisindependent variable

y axis

dependent variable

Title

Independent vs. dependentvariables

Independent x axis variable you control hours studied per night time # of dog bones fed to your dog

Dependent y axis variable you measure grade you receive distance traveled girth of your dog

A way to remember where the variables are graphed….

“DRY MIX”

Dependent, Responding on Y axis.

Manipulated, Independent on X axis.

Line Graph

Best type of graph to show a relationship between two variables.

Example: kg of food fed vs. girth of dog in cm.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1kg

2kg

3kg

4kg

Girth incm

FAT DOGS

Never forget the title

Bar Graphs Great for showing

categories Example: Favorite

activities of cool science students on Friday night!

0102030405060708090

wa

tch

sta

rtre

k

sh

av

e h

ea

d

ex

pe

rime

nt

on

fam

ily

gra

ph

so

ck

dra

we

r# ofstudents

Friday Night Fun

Pie Graphs

Wonderful for showing percentages

Example: Teacher’s income

45%

10%20%

25%

salary

studentbribes

Nikeendorsement

astronautpension

Wolf’s income

Things to rememberAlways label the title and axis include units with each axisThe graph should always take up

most of the paper

Choose the correct type of graph for the information you want to show

does not have to begin with 0,0 in bottom left corner