Graphing the Right Way

The TASTE Method

Let’s Take a Look at a Graph.

• We might need some more information here!

Let’s Add the Key (Legend)!

• What does this tell us?

• Can we make any conclusions?

Maybe a Title Will Help…

• Not really specific…

• Do we know any more than we did before?

Now Let’s Add Some Scales!

• What do you notice about the DIFFERENCES between the numbers?

• What do you notice about the SPACES between the numbers?

• Can we make any conclusions yet?

What Do Those Numbers Mean?

• Y-axis is…

• X-axis is…

• NOW we can make some conclusions!

The TASTE Method of Graphing

• T = Title• A = Axes• S = Scale• T = Trends• E = Explain/Predict

Title

• In science, we name a graph by the y-axis vs. the x-axis

• What would the title of this graph be?

Axes

• The y-axis and x-axis need to be labeled with…

– What they are measuring

– Units in parentheses

Scale

• The number scales on the axes need to…

– Start with zero unless you are told otherwise

– Have equal intervals between the numbers

• By 2’s, 5’s or 10’s is a good place to start

– Have equal spaces between the numbers

Some other things to remember

• Time– Is ALWAYS on the x-axis!– Time is the measurement; days, hours, or minutes are the

units!

• Line Graphs—used to show changes over time or changes in related items– There needs to be a line– CONNECT THE DOTS!– Next year you will do a “line of best fit”

• Bar Graphs—used when there are separate categories to be compared

Trends

• A trend is a general statement about what is happening in the graph.

• As vehicles get older, what happens to the number of problems?

Explain/Predict

• Make specific conclusions about the graph

• Which make of car has the most problems? The fewest?

• What will likely be the number of problems with Hyundais after 10 years?

Put it all together…

• T = Title• A = Axes• S = Scale

• T = Trends• E = Explain/Predict

• You will have all of the necessary tools to make and analyze a graph!