1. Bell Work
Choose a seat (choose wisely, because if you can’t handle choosing your seat, I will choose for you).
Start working on your graphing bell work

2. This may be different from Math class!!!
Graphing Notes
This may be different from Math class!!!

3. Graph Type
Line Graphs – are used to show continuous changes over a period of time
Bar Graphs – are used to compare facts between different groups.
If in doubt, choose the line graph.
The regents will always clearly tell you which kind of graph to use.

4. Bar or Line?
You will complete a lab in the future, where you compare the size and weight of a gummy bear before it is submerged in water to after.
Before
After
Mass
1.2 grams
5.7 grams
Volume
4cm3
16cm3

5. Bar or Line?
Much later in the year, you will construct a graph comparing the growth of seeds grown in acid rain and seeds grown in regular rain over a period of two weeks.
Acid Rain (cm)
Normal Rain (cm)
Day 1
Day 2
0.5
0.8
Day 3
0.9
1.3
Day 4
1.1
1.9
Day 5
1.4
2.4
Day 6
1.7
2.8
Day 7
2.0
3.2

6. Title The title should describe the data being compared in the graph.
Don’t try to be cute
If all else fails write the title of your y-axis versus the title of your x-axis
Keep it short

7. Make a Title
What would you call the last graph?

8. Labeling Axis
Always create a label for each axis that explains what the numbers represent.
X-axis should always be your dependent variable (usually time) DV = what is being measured
Y-axis should always be your independent variable (what you were testing in the lab)
If a set of data includes a measurement (centimeters, seconds, etc.) make sure to include that unit in your label.

9. Label the Axis
The data table shows the number of fish species found at various ocean depths.
Water Depth (m)
Number of Fish Species Found 50 35 75 31
100 22
150 13
200 6

10. Numbering Axis Count the number of lines on your graph for each axis
Find the range of points for each axis
Divide the range by the number of lines to see the best option for an interval (choose an even number)
Ex: If your data points range from , what would be a good interval for this graph paper?
You do not have to start at zero or label the origin
You are not allowed to have any breaks in your graph!
The interval between each number must remain constant

11. Following Directions
There are usually 2 points given for Regents graphs.
[1] for correctly numbering the axis
[1] for following graphing instructions, such as circle the points for data set 1 and put a triangle around the points for data set 2; or color in your bars.

12. Following Directions
The data table shows the number of fish species found at various ocean depths.
Directions: Using the information in the data table, construct a line graph on the grid, following the directions below.
Mark an appropriate scale, without any breaks, on each labeled axis. [1]
Plot the data from the data table. Surround each point with a small circle and connect the points. [1]
Ex:
Water Depth (m)
Number of Fish Species Found 50 35 75 31
100 22
150 13
200 6

13. Plotting Data
If a 0 is not given as a data point, do NOT connect your first point to the origin!!!
If two different symbols are provided in the key, you should have two separate lines!
Only connect points from the same data set
Ex: If you are graphing population, do not connect the points for a wolf population with the points for the deer population

14. Plot This
An investigation was performed to determine the effect of temperature on the activity of the enzyme catalase, which breaks down hydrogen peroxide releasing oxygen. Six test tubes, each containing water and equal concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and catalase, were maintained at different temperatures. Observations made during the investigation were used to construct the data table