Mathematics
Grade 6
15 min
Choose the best type of graph
Choose the best type of graph
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the characteristics and purpose of bar graphs, line graphs, circle graphs, and pictographs.
Analyze a given dataset to determine its type (categorical, numerical, parts of a whole, or time-series).
Select the most appropriate graph type for a specific set of data.
Justify their choice of graph based on the data's characteristics and the message to be conveyed.
Understand how different graphs effectively communicate different types of information.
Recognize common pitfalls when choosing a graph and how to avoid them.
Ever wonder how stores decide which toys are most popular? 📊 Or how scientists show changes in temperature over time? 🤔 Graphs help us see stories in numbers!
In this lesson, you'll learn about different types of graphs a...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
DataInformation, facts, or statistics collected for analysis or reference.The number of students who prefer apples, bananas, or oranges is a type of data.
Bar GraphA graph that uses rectangular bars to compare quantities or frequencies across different categories.A bar graph showing the number of students who own a cat, dog, or fish.
Line GraphA graph that uses points connected by lines to show how something changes over a continuous period, usually time.A line graph showing a plant's height measured each week for a month.
Circle Graph (Pie Chart)A circular graph divided into sectors, where each sector represents a proportion or percentage of the whole.A circle graph showing how 100% of a student's allowance is spent on snacks, toys, and savings.
Pictograph...
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Core Formulas
Rule for Comparing Categories
$\text{Purpose} = \text{Compare Quantities Across Categories} \implies \text{Best Graph} = \text{Bar Graph}$
Use a Bar Graph when you want to compare the amounts or frequencies of different, distinct items or groups. Each bar represents a category, and its length shows its value.
Rule for Showing Change Over Time
$\text{Purpose} = \text{Show Trends or Change Over Time} \implies \text{Best Graph} = \text{Line Graph}$
Use a Line Graph when you want to track how data changes continuously over a period, such as days, weeks, or years. It helps visualize trends, increases, or decreases.
Rule for Showing Parts of a Whole
$\text{Purpose} = \text{Show Proportions of a Whole} \implies \text{Best Graph} = \text{Circle Graph}$
Use a Circle Graph (Pi...
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Challenging
A company wants to show two things with its annual sales data: (1) the percentage of total sales that came from each of its four product lines, and (2) a comparison of the total dollar amount of sales for each product line. Which combination of two graphs would be best?
A.Circle Graph for the percentages and a Bar Graph for the dollar amounts.
B.Line Graph for the percentages and a Pictograph for the dollar amounts.
C.Two different Bar Graphs for both.
D.Bar Graph for the percentages and a Line Graph for the dollar amounts.
Challenging
A dataset shows the favorite school subject and the number of hours spent on homework per week for 100 students. Why is it difficult to represent both pieces of information for all students on a single bar, line, or circle graph?
A.These graphs are not good with large numbers like 100.
B.The data types are different and not easily combined on one axis.
C.These graphs are designed to show one variable, not the relationship between two different variables (a category and a numerical range).
D.pictograph would be the only way to show this information.
Challenging
A school principal wants to show how the number of students in Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 5 has changed each year for the past five years. Which graph would be most effective for comparing the enrollment trends of the three grades against each other on the same chart?
A.stacked bar graph.
B.multiple line graph, with a different colored line for each grade.
C.series of three separate circle graphs, one for each grade.
D.single bar graph with 15 different bars.
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