MathIsimple

Lesson 5-2: Graphs & Charts

Create and interpret various types of graphs and charts using weather data scenarios!

Learning Scenario: Weather Data

Scenario: You're helping the school weather station track temperature data for one week. The daily high temperatures were: Monday (72°F), Tuesday (75°F), Wednesday (78°F), Thursday (80°F), Friday (82°F), Saturday (85°F), Sunday (83°F). How can you display this data using different types of graphs?

What We Need to Find:

  • • Best way to show temperature changes over time
  • • How to compare daily temperatures
  • • Different types of graphs for different purposes
  • • How to read and interpret graphs

Tools We'll Use:

  • • Bar graphs for comparing values
  • • Line graphs for showing changes over time
  • • Pie charts for showing parts of a whole
  • • Data visualization techniques

Understanding Graphs

What are Graphs?

Graphs are visual ways to show data. They help us see patterns, compare numbers, and understand information quickly. Different types of graphs are best for different kinds of data.

Graphs = Visual + Data + Patterns

Pictures that help us understand numbers

Why Use Graphs:

Make data easier to understand, show patterns clearly, compare different values

Real Examples:

Weather charts, sports statistics, school test scores, sales reports

Bar Graphs

What are Bar Graphs?

Bar graphs use bars (rectangles) of different heights to show and compare data. They're great for comparing different categories or groups.

Weekly High Temperatures

Mon72°
Tue75°
Wed78°
Thu80°
Fri82°
Sat85°
Sun83°

Best for: Comparing different categories, showing exact values

Line Graphs

What are Line Graphs?

Line graphs use points connected by lines to show how data changes over time. They're perfect for showing trends and patterns.

Temperature Trend Over Week

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun

Best for: Showing changes over time, identifying trends and patterns

Pie Charts

What are Pie Charts?

Pie charts use slices of a circle to show parts of a whole. Each slice represents a portion of the total data, and the size of the slice shows how much of the total it represents.

Temperature Categories

70-75°
70-75°F: 2 days
76-80°F: 2 days
81-85°F: 3 days

Best for: Showing parts of a whole, comparing proportions

Choosing the Right Graph

When to Use Each Type

Bar Graph

  • • Comparing different categories
  • • Showing exact values
  • • Data that doesn't change over time

Line Graph

  • • Showing changes over time
  • • Identifying trends
  • • Continuous data

Pie Chart

  • • Showing parts of a whole
  • • Comparing proportions
  • • Percentage data

Practice Problems

Problem 1: Sports Team Scores

A basketball team's scores for 5 games were: Game 1 (85), Game 2 (92), Game 3 (78), Game 4 (95), Game 5 (88). Which type of graph would best show how the team's performance changed over time?

Answer: Line Graph

Because we want to show changes over time (from Game 1 to Game 5)

Problem 2: Favorite Ice Cream Flavors

A survey of 100 students showed: Vanilla (30), Chocolate (40), Strawberry (20), Mint (10). Which type of graph would best show the proportion of each flavor?

Answer: Pie Chart

Because we want to show parts of a whole (100 students)

Real-World Applications

Where We See Graphs & Charts

News & Media

  • • Weather forecasts and climate data
  • • Election results and polling data
  • • Stock market trends and financial reports
  • • Sports statistics and performance charts

Business & Science

  • • Sales reports and business analytics
  • • Scientific research and experiments
  • • Population studies and demographics
  • • Quality control and manufacturing data

Key Takeaways

Types of Graphs

  • Bar graphs: Compare different categories
  • Line graphs: Show changes over time
  • Pie charts: Show parts of a whole
  • Choose the right graph for your data

Reading Graphs

  • Always read the title and labels
  • Check the scale and units
  • Look for patterns and trends
  • Compare different parts of the data