1. Interpreting Charts and Graphs

2. In order to read and interpret graphs, it is important to understand what the parts of a graph tell us. Let’s start by looking at bar graphs.

3. Bar Graphs Used to compare data between different groups
Allows you to make quick generalizations

4. Parts of a Bar Graph Title Scale Bars Labels
uses keywords to tell what the graph is about
Scale
shows the units used on the y axis
Bars
represent the data
amount for each
group
Labels
explains what kind of data is shown on the x and y axis

5. Now let’s take a look at what line graphs can tell us.

6. Line Graphs Track change over time Allows you to see small changes
Can see change for more than one group over the same time period. (multiple line graphs)

7. Parts of a Line Graph Title Scale Points Line Labels
uses keywords to tell what the graph is about
Scale
shows the units used on the y axis
Points
represents the data
amount
Line
Labels
connects the
data points
explains what kind of data is shown on the x and y axis

8. Now let’s take a look at what circle graphs can tell us.

9. Circle Graphs or Pie Charts
Allows you to compare parts of a whole

10. Parts of a Circle Graph Title Sectors Legend
uses keywords to tell what the graph is about
Sectors
represents one part of the data
set
Legend
explains what each sector or slice represents

11. Let’s practice interpreting different types of graphs
Let’s practice interpreting different types of graphs. The questions without multiple choice answers are questions to think about. Those questions with multiple choice answers need to be answered as directed by your teacher.

12. Think about the table. What does this table represent?
Building Name
City
Height (ft)
Height (m)
Sears Tower
Chicago
1451
442
Aon Center
1136
346
Empire State Building
New York
1250
381
John Hancock Center
1127
344
Trump International Hotel and Tower
1362
415
Bank of America Tower
1200
366
Chrysler Building
1046
319
This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts.
Becker, Lynn. "The World's Tallest Buildings - America's latest Outsourcing".
Think about the table. What does this table represent?
How do you know? What clues are there that tell you
about the information in this chart?

13. 1. What does the graph depict?
Look at the bar graph that was created from the previous table.
1. What does the graph depict?
a. time it took to build these buildings
c. cost of the tallest buildings in the
United States
b. tallest buildings in the world
d. tallest buildings in the United States

14. 2. Which is the tallest building in the United States?
Look at the bar graph that was created from the previous table.
2. Which is the tallest building in the United States?
a. Sears Tower
c. Trump International Hotel and Tower
b. Aon Center
d. Empire State Building

15. 3. Which two buildings appear to be approximately the same height?
Look at the bar graph that was created from the previous table.
3. Which two buildings appear to be approximately the same
height?
Sears Tower and Trump
International Hotel and Tower
c. John Hancock Center and Aon Center
Bank of America Tower and
Sears Tower
d. Empire State Building and Chrysler
Building

16. Yes No 4. The Chrysler Building is the shortest bar. Does this mean it
Look at the bar graph that was created from the previous table.
4. The Chrysler Building is the shortest bar. Does this mean it
is the shortest building in the United States?
Yes No

17. 5. What does the graph depict?
Look at the line graph. Read each of the parts of the graph.
5. What does the graph depict?
a. population growth in Harris County
c. number of years Harris County
has existed
b. salary growth in Harris County
d. number of people in each county

18. 6. What does the y axis represent on this line graph?
Look at the line graph. Read each of the parts of the graph.
6. What does the y axis represent on this line graph?
a. which year the population grew
c. number of years
b. number of people
d. none of these

19. 7. What can not be determined by looking at this graph?
Look at the line graph. Read each of the parts of the graph.
7. What can not be determined by looking at this graph?
a. between which decade
the population grew
c. the population of Houston in
1910
b. the approximate number of people
in Harris County in 2000
d. that the population more than
doubled between 1940 and 1960

20. 8. Which table below best represents the circle graph?
Look at the circle graph.
Read each part of the
graph.
8. Which table
below best
represents the
circle graph? A. B. C. D.
Activity
Number of Students
Hanging out with friends 35
Going on Vacation 20
Going swimming 5
Activity
Number of Students
Hanging out with friends 30
Going on Vacation 20
Going swimming 10
Activity
Number of Students
Hanging out with friends 30
Going on Vacation 25
Going swimming 5
Activity
Number of Students
Hanging out with friends 25
Going on Vacation
Going swimming 10

21. 9. What can not be determined by looking at this graph?
Look at the circle graph. Read each part of the graph.
9. What can not be determined by looking at this graph?
a. the number of people surveyed
c. twice as many people have cats
rather than fish
b. the percentage of 8th graders
who have dogs
d. ¼ of the 8th graders surveyed have
no pets

22. a. bar graph c. circle graph b. line graph d. none of these
10. Which type of graph would you choose to show ticket
sales over the last year?
a. bar graph
c. circle graph
b. line graph
d. none of these

23. a. bar graph b. line graph c. circle graph d. none of these
11. Which type of graph would
best display how much of the
athletic shoe industry is
dominated by Nike?
Sneakers Sold This Month
Brand Name
Number Sold
  Adidas 25
  Nike 32
  Reebok 10
  Asics 18
  Other 15
  Total
100
a. bar graph
b. line graph
c. circle graph
d. none of these

24. a. bar graph b. line graph c. circle graph d. none of these
11. Which type of graph would
best display the number sold
for each company?
Sneakers Sold This Month
Brand Name
Number Sold
  Adidas 25
  Nike 32
  Reebok 10
  Asics 18
  Other 15
  Total
100
a. bar graph
b. line graph
c. circle graph
d. none of these