Graphing Rules: According to DRTAILSS Graphing made easy

1) THE SLOPE OF A GRAPH CAN SHOW US HOW OUR VARIABLES ARE RELATED.

If you are using graphing programs, you need to understand the choices you can make to make sure you have an accurate and meaningful graph.

You will see graphs in your life and will need to be able to understand what they are telling you.

DRTAILSS

Data Ruler Title Axes Increments Labels Size Statement

Data – all data should be plotted accurately: 1) With large sets of data, count the number of points and make sure you have the correct total. 2) Be sure not to mix up x and y! 3) Use small points that will make it easy to see where the point has been placed.

Ruler – a ruler should be used to make straight axes, and the graph should include a line of best fit (also made with a ruler), or a curve of best fit. * To earn this point: Pull out a ruler when you draw your axes, and draw them on the lines of your graph paper. Ruler: A line of best fit has half of the points above, and half of the points below. Ask the questions: Is it a line? Does it go through zero?

Title: Your title should always be in the form: “Manipulated Variable vs. Responding variable” (of course you always include the actual variables in there!).

Axes: This is connected to the Title – the words to remember are DRY MIX: * The Dependent (or Responding variable) goes on the Y axis * The Manipulated (or Independent variable) goes on the X axis

Increments – Choose a scale that will fit all of your data on the page, start from the origin, with equal numbering and spacing from there. * Make sure that you choose increments that will have you using as much of your graph as possible. * Questions to ask yourself: 1) How many squares do you have to work with? 2) How much data do you have to graph?

Labels: 1) You must label your axes and key Labels: 1) You must label your axes and key. 2) Your axes labels must include the thing being measured and the unit you are measuring it in. 3) Your labels must be clear and concise.

Size: 1) Your graph must take up at least half of the available space Size: 1) Your graph must take up at least half of the available space. 2) For a graph on a full page of paper, that means it should be over a half of page. 3) You will not earn this point if you choose increments that squish your data into a very small part of your graph.

Statement: You must include a statement that includes: 1) WHAT YOU SEE (shape or slope of the graph), and 2) WHAT IT MEANS (here you need to talk about the variables on the graph).

EXAMPLE: This graph is a straight line, so the slope does not change EXAMPLE: This graph is a straight line, so the slope does not change. Because the slope is constant, the speed (position over time) is constant.