Analyzing Graphs

 

 

Graphs are everywhere. They are used to help organize and analyze data. Your assignment will help you learn the importance of graphs and being able to interpret them.

 

Step 1:

Working with one other person, decided what topic you would like to research. This topic could be most anything, but it must be approved by me. Some ideas: a sport, an environmental issue, something related to something you are studying in another class, a vacation location which interests you.

 

Step 2:

Go online and find information about this topic. You must be able to find at least 2 graphs about this topic. They can be bar graphs, circle graphs, or line graphs. You will also need to find some sort of statistical research about your topic (numbers!).

 

Step 3:

Start a new word document. Either BOTH OF YOU WILL NEED A COPY OF THIS IN YOUR FILE, or YOU WILL NEED ACCESS TO THE DOCUMENT IN SOME WAY. (email as an attachment back and forth?)

 

Step 4:

Cut and paste the 2 graphs into the document. Develop 10 meaningful questions which could be answered from the graphs. Include the answers highlighted in italics and red font.

 

Step 5:

Explain in your own words why both these graphs are important to learning about your topic, and what information can be learned from the graphs.

 

Step 6:

Write 2 story problems that could be answered from information presented in each graph. (a total of 4 story problems!) Include the answers highlighted in italics and red font.

 

 

The following are examples of good story problems:

EX. 1 Using the graph entitled “Annual Salaries of Middle-Income Americans” estimate the average income of all types of workers. The find the actual average using data from the graph.

 

EX. 2 Using the graph entitled “Endangered Species on the Earth” calculate the difference between the endangered animals and that come from the rain forests as opposed to those coming from the deserts.

 

Step 7:

Using some of the statistics you find when researching your topic, use Microsoft Excel to create a graph of some of the data. Complete steps 4, 5, 6 again for this graph except you only need to develop 5 questions for Step 4, and 2 total story problems for Step 6 for the graph you create.

 

Make sure all the information is included in your document. Also, make sure it is labeled appropriately so it is easy to tell which step you are completing for all your work.

 

You will be sending me this assignment as an attachment in email. DO NOT PRINT IT! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SEND IT UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO! ASSIGNMENTS SENT EARLY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!

 

If you run into a problem during class Thursday, you may email me a question and I will try to email you an answer back before class Friday. Continue to work on the parts you can complete though!

 

This assignment must be finished and emailed in class on Monday, October 17 unless other arrangements are made with me. Directions for emailing will be given on that day. DO NOT MAIL UNTIL THEN!