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Graphs and

Data Tables

Uses of Graphs and Data


Tables
Information and data are useless unless
they can be interpreted correctly.
Data tables and graphs allow for
large quantities of information to be
analyzed quickly. Trends can be
easily seen and predictions about
future events can be made with great
accuracy.

Data Tables
Data Tables are constructed using the following
rules:
1. They are enclosed in a box.
2. They have a title.
3. The manipulative variable (what you have
control over) is placed in the left column.
Proper units are added.
4. The responding variable (changes as a
result of the manipulative variable being
changed) is placed in the right column.
Proper units are added.

5.

When data is placed in the table, it is


rank ordered. Numerical data should
be entered from least to greatest or
greatest to least. No units should be
used with the data in the columns.
A. Numerical data should always be
consistent. Do not enter some of the data
as a fraction and other data as a decimal
numeral.

Distance in Cm
5.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.5

Force in Coulombs
5.0
8.3
12.5
25.0
50.0

Interpolating
Your data table can be used to help
check possible answers. For
example, if you are interpolating or
selecting data points within
graphed data, you should be able to
predict the answer that you would find
on the graph using the data table. See
the next slide for an example.

Distance in Cm
5.0
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.0
0.5

Force in Coulombs
5.0
8.3
10
12.5
25.0
50.0

Here you can see that a predicted point


on the graph can be checked in
advance by looking at the data table.
The point 2.5 falls in between the points
2 and 3, so the responding variable
should also be between the
corresponding data points of 8.3 and
12.5.
My guess for the force at a distance of 2.5
is approximately 10 coulombs. The
actual answer may vary when you check
the graph, but it gives you an idea of

60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0

Series1

10.0
0.0
0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

Line of Best Fit


The line of best fit is an average of
your data. It is used to show trends
in your graph. It should not be a
straight line, but rather a smooth line
through as many of the data points as
possible.
See the next slide for an example.
Notice the data point of 2.5 cm and
see how many coulombs correspond
to that data point.

Using a line of best fit, you can check the


graph and see that the predicted answer
of 10 coulombs for a distance of 2.5 cm
was a close estimate.
A properly constructed data table can
allow you to check your
interpolations and extrapolations to
see if your answers are reasonable.

Force in
coulombs

Distance vs Force
60.0
40.0
20.0

Series1

0.0
0.0

2.0

4.0

Distance in cm

6.0

Graphs
Graphs are used to show trends in your
data.
The five types of graphs are as follows:
1. Direct Relationship
2. Indirect Relationship
3. Inverse Square
4. Unlimited Growth
5. Limited Growth

Graph Construction
Be sure to do the following with your graph:
1. Give it a title
2. Plot the manipulative variable on the xaxis
Remember this is the variable that you have
control over.
3. Use consistent numbering on the axis
4. Draw a line of best fit.
5. Be sure to have units for the x and y axis

INVERSE SQUARE
RELATIONSHIP

INDIRECT AND DIRECT


RELATIONSHIPS

UNLIMITED
GROWTH
RELATIONSHIP

LIMITED
GROWTH

DIRECT RELATIONSHIP

AS THE VALUE OF X INCREASES, THE VALUE OF


Y INCREASES AT A CONSTANT RATE.

INDIRECT RELATIONSHIP

AS THE VALUE OF X INCREASES, THE VALUE


OF Y DECREASES AT A CONSTANT RATE.

LIMITED GROWTH

AS THE VALUE FOR X INCREASES, THE VALUE


FOR Y INCREASES AT A CHANGING RATE,
AND EVENTUALLY LEVELS OFF.

UNLIMITED GROWTH

AS THE VALUE OF X INCREASES,


Y INCREASES AT A CHANGING RATE.

INVERSE SQUARE

AS THE VALUE OF X INCREASES,


Y DECREASES AT A CHANGING RATE.

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