Misleading Statistics

What does misleading mean? To lead in the wrong direction. To manipulate statistics without lying. Misleading = Dishonesty To intentionally deceive someone.

Mrs. Long’s Salaries

Mrs. Long’s Salaries

What is the difference between the two graphs? Mrs. Long’s Salaries Mrs. Long’s Salaries What is the difference between the two graphs? Do these two graphs appear to show the same information? Why do you think someone would want to present the same information in different ways?

Ways To Manipulate A Graph

Which pet is most popular? Pets Dog Horse Fish Key = or = 5 pets

What is misleading about this bar graph?

What eye color is the most frequent?

Why would someone want to mislead you? To make it appear that they are correct. Change the way the data is interpreted To persuade someone To influence an opinion

Ways to Manipulate Statistics Change the values on the x- or y-axis. Do not start the graph at zero. Use different bar widths on a bar graph Change the way you conduct your survey Example: Survey only 6th graders when you are collecting data on the height of middle school students at IMS. Survey’s should be random.

Try the examples in your notes..

The line graph on the left The line graph on the right Which graph should the governor use to support his argument? Which graph should the governor's opponent use? The line graph on the left The line graph on the right

How many calories are in a slice of pizza from Mario’s? How many calories are in a slice of pizza from Pizza Queen? Is this bar graph misleading? Explain. 120 calories 124 calories Yes

The y-axis scale does not have equal spacing How is this graph misleading? How could you redraw the graph so it would not be misleading? The y-axis scale does not have equal spacing Draw the y-axis scale starting at 0 with equal spacing so that the distance between 0 and 18,000 equal distance between 18,000 and 36,000.

How is this graph misleading? How could you redraw the graph so it would not be misleading? The y-axis scale has a break so the differences in jump distances appear greater Draw the y-axis scale starting at 0 and continuing to 7.5 using equal spacing.

How is this graph misleading? How could you redraw the graph so it would not be misleading? The y-axis scale has a break so the differences in fare appear greater. Draw the y-axis scale starting at 0 and continuing to 7.5 using equal spacing. Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 13 12 11 10 Taxicab Fares Fare ($)

How is this graph misleading? How could you redraw the graph so it would not be misleading? The y-axis scale does not start at zero so the differences in water consumed seem greater. Draw the y-axis scale starting at 0 and continuing to 48 using equal spacing. Water Consumed 48 40 32 24 16 Mark Frank Mila Yvonne Ounces of Water

Explain why each graph could be misleading and why. Exit Ticket Quiz Explain why each graph could be misleading and why.

Use the given data to make a Misleading Activity Use the given data to make a misleading graph

Gallery Walk Walk around and observe each misleading graph. Choose one graph (not your groups’) On a separate sheet of paper: Explain how that group made their graph misleading.