technical science scientific tools and methods tables and graphs

Technical Science

Scientific Tools and Methods

Tables and Graphs

Tables and Graphs

In this section you will …– Use tables to organize information– Construct circle graphs – Construct bar graphs– Construct line graphs

Using Tables

Making observations and collecting information is large part of a scientist’s job.

1 of 10

Once this information is collected it must be organized and presented in a clear and concise way.

Tables and Graphs are the tools that scientists use to organize and present information.

Home

Using Tables

Tables consist of horizontal rows and vertical columns of information.

2 of 10

Each row and column should have a heading that describes its contents.

The table itself should have a title to describe its purpose.

Identify the parts of the table on the following slide.

Using Tables

Initial Computer Problems

System Hardware Software User

Video Monitor - Video Card

44 37 45

Sound Speakers - Sound Card

36 45 52

Memory Drives - RAM

31 20 12

Operating Motherboard

28 83 121

Peripheral Keybrd - Mouse - Prntr - etc

29 94 156

3 of 10

Title Column

Heading

Row

Using TablesInitial Computer Problems


VideoMonitor - Video Card

44 37 45

SoundSpeakers - Sound Card

36 45 52

MemoryDrives - RAM

31 20 12

OperatingMotherboard

28 83 121

PeripheralKeybrd - Mouse - Prntr - etc

29 94 156

4 of 10

A table can hold a lot of information.

– Imagine how long it would take to write out all the information in this table in sentences.

– A table allows you to present all of the information on a single page.

Using Tables 5 of 10

Tables organize data efficiently.– All of the data regarding

problems with the video system is in a single row.

– All of the data regardingsoftware related problems is in a single column.

The relationship between two variables is shown at the intersection of a row and column.– The number of hardware problems with peripheral

components is shown at the intersection of the hardware column and the peripheral row.




44 37 45


36 45 52

MemoryDrives - RAM

31 20 12


28 83 121


29 94 156


Use the table to answer the following questions.

– See if you notice a difference between the first two questions and the last two questions.




44 37 45


36 45 52

MemoryDrives - RAM

31 20 12


28 83 121


29 94 156


Which system has the most hardware problems?A Video




44 37 45


36 45 52

MemoryDrives - RAM

31 20 12


28 83 121


29 94 156

A Peripherals

Users have the most difficulty with which system?


What percent of hardware problems relate to the drives and RAM?

A 18.5 %



Video Monitor - Video Card

44 37 45

Sound Speakers - Sound Card

36 45 52

Memory Drives - RAM

31 20 12

Operating Motherboard

28 83 121

Peripheral Keybrd - Mouse - Prntr - etc

29 94 156

What would you do to decrease initial problems? A Send better instructions about the peripherals


How were the first two questions different from the last two?

A The first two questions could be answered by reading directly from the table. The last two questions required you to make some calculations and judgments about the data in the table.

There is a lot more information in a table than what is written directly.

The information in a table can be interpreted in many ways to draw conclusions and make predictions.

Using Tables10 of 10

Construct a table that can be used to compare the features of various models of lawnmowers.

– The table should have a title and column and row headings. You don’t need to put in the data. When you are done click to see an example.

Self-Propelled Lawnmower Comparison

ModelCuttingWidth

DriveWheels

Horse-power

Price

Grass Boy 20 in Rear 4.5 $289

Yard Biter 22 in Front 5.0 $319

Blade Runner 21 in Front 6.0 $359

Home

Using Circle Graphs

While tables are used for organizing information, graphs are used to present information visually.

1 of 12

Different graphs are designed to present different types of information.

Circle graphs are best used to show how a whole is divided into its parts.

Home

Using Circle Graphs

Circle graphs consist of wedge-shaped segments that together make a whole circle.

2 of 12

Each segment should have a name and a value.

The graph itself should have a title to describe its purpose.

Identify the parts of the graph on the following slide.

Using Circle Graphs 3 of 12

Preferred School Lunch Items

Hamburger23%

Pizza40%

Hot Dogs17%

Sandwiches20%

Title

Segment

Segment Name

Segment Value

Using Circle Graphs

Circle graphs are used to show how a whole is broken up into its parts.

4 of 12

In this case, the whole is the total number of students asked about their lunch preference.

The parts represent the 4 possible responses.


Hamburger23%

Pizza40%

Hot Dogs17%

Sandwiches20%

Using Circle Graphs

There are a few things you should notice about circle graphs.

5 of 12

The segments must add up to the total.


Hamburger23%

Pizza40%

Hot Dogs17%

Sandwiches20%17% for hot dogs

20% for sandwiches23% for hamburgers

+ 40% for pizza

100% total

Using Circle Graphs

There are a few things you should notice about circle graphs.

6 of 12

The segment size must be relative to its value.– 20% (1/5) of students

chose sandwiches so that segment is 1/5 of the circle.


Hamburger23%

Pizza40%

Hot Dogs17%

Sandwiches20%


Use the graph to answer the following questions.

– See if you notice a difference between the first two questions, the next two questions, and the last question.


Hamburger23%

Pizza40%

Hot Dogs17%

Sandwiches20%


What percent prefer pizza or hamburgers?A 63%

A Hot Dogs

What is the least popular menu item?


Hamburger23%

Pizza40%

Hot Dogs17%

Sandwiches20%


If 500 students were surveyed, how many preferred hamburgers?

A 115

A 100

How many students preferred sandwiches?


Hamburger23%

Pizza40%

Hot Dogs17%

Sandwiches20%

Using Circle Graphs10 of 12

Half the students (500 total) eat the school lunch every day. The other half will eat only when their favorite food is served. How many students can you expect to serve on pizza day?

A 350 ( 250 + ( 250 x 40% )) = 350


Hamburger23%

Pizza40%

Hot Dogs17%

Sandwiches20%


How were the first two questions different from the next two? How was the last question different?

A The first two questions could be answered by reading directly from the table. The next two questions required you to make some calculations and judgments about the data in the table. The answer to the last question was a prediction based on the circle graph.

The information in a graph can be used in many ways to draw conclusions and make predictions.


Construct a circle graph to show the following data about bald eagle populations in 1998

– When you are done click to see an example.

Home

IL 86

IA 166

MI 582

MN 1236

WI 1378

# of Bald Eagles in 1998

Wisconsin40%

Michigan17%

Iowa5%

Minnesota36%

Illinois2%

Using Bar Graphs


1 of 14


Bar graphs are best used to show how a number of objects or events compare in relationship to single property.

Home

Using Bar Graphs

Bar graphs consist of a horizontal and vertical scale.

2 of 14

One scale identifies the objects to be compared the other scale is numerical.

The bar graph gets its name from the lines that identify the measured value of each object.


Household Energy Consumption 1997

0.361.07

3.54

5.28

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Natural Gas Electricity Fuel Oil LP Gas

Fuel Type

Qua

drill

ion

BT

U's

Using Bar Graphs 3 of 14

Title

Bar

Numerical Scale

Object Scale

Label

Label


Bar graphs are used to compare measurements taken from a number of objects or categories.

In this case, the measurement is BTU’s of energy consumption.

The categoriesare the differentfuel types.


0.361.07

3.54

5.28

0

1

2

3

4

5

6


Fuel Type

Qua

drill

ion

BT

U's


There are a some important features of bar graphs. First, the numerical scale must be consistent

Each division on the vertical scale is one unit. On this graph 1 unit = 1 quadrillion BTU’s

Each division mustrepresent the same amount ofchange from thestart to the finish.


0.361.07

3.54

5.28

0

1

2

3

4

5

6


Fuel Type

Qua

drill

ion

BT

U's

1 Quadrillion1 Quadrillion1 Quadrillion


The numerical scale must be consistent but there is no limit on the value you place on each division.

Our graph was redrawn with a different scale. Now 1 unit = 2 quadrillion BTU’s

The scale is still consistent and the data is stillthe same but the graph looks different.


0.361.07

3.545.28

0

2

4

6

8

10

12


Fuel Type

Qua

drill

ion

BT

U's


0.361.07

3.54

5.28

0

1

2

3

4

5

6


Fuel Type

Qua

drill

ion

BT

U's


When each unit represents a larger value there appears to be less difference between the groups.


0.361.07

3.545.28

0

2

4

6

8

10

12


Fuel Type

Qua

drilli

on B

TU's


0.361.07

3.54

5.28

0

1

2

3

4

5

6


Fuel Type

Quad

rillio

n BTU

's

A graph can be misleading or difficult to read depending on the scale you choose.


Use the graph to answer the following questions.


0.361.07

3.54

5.28

0

1

2

3

4

5

6


Fuel Type

Qua

drill

ion

BT

U's


How much total energy was used by households in 1997?


0.361.07

3.54

5.28

0

1

2

3

4

5

6


Fuel Type

Qua

drill

ion

BT

U's

10.25 quadrillion BTU’s

Using Bar Graphs10 of 14

How many times as much natural gas is used compared to LP gas?


0.361.07

3.54

5.28

0

1

2

3

4

5

6


Fuel Type

Qua

drill

ion

BT

U's

Over 14 times as much


In this graph, a second bar was added for each category with data from 1979.

Household Energy Consumption 1979 vs 1997

0.31

1.712.42

5.31

0.361.07

3.54

5.28

0

1

2

3

4

5

6


Fuel Type

Qua

drill

ion

BT

U's

19791997

This bar graph can then be used to compare the data from 2 different years.


What is the percent increase in total energy usage from 1979 to 1997?


0.31

1.712.42

5.31

0.361.07

3.54

5.28

0

1

2

3

4

5

6


Fuel Type

Qua

drill

ion

BT

U's

19791997

What is the percent increase in electricity usage from 1979 to 1997.

About 5%

About 46%


From 79 to 97 theUS population increased by 17%, electricity consumptionincreased 46%, yet household energy consumption increased only 5%. How can you account for this?


0.31

1.712.42

5.31

0.361.07

3.54

5.28

0

1

2

3

4

5

6


Fuel Type

Qua

drill

ion

BT

U's

19791997

The big increase in electricity use is probably related to the huge increase in electronic devices. The relatively small increase in total consumption is probably related to savings from more energy efficient devices.


Construct a bar graph to show the following data about US Endangered Animal Species


Home

Mammals 61

Birds 75

Reptiles 14

Amphibians 9

US Endangered Animal Species

14

75

9

61

020406080

# S

pec

ies

Using Line Graphs


1 of 14


Line graphs are best used to show a relationship between two measured quantities.

Home

Using Line Graphs

Line graphs consist of a horizontal and vertical scale but both scales are numerical since each represents a measured quantity.

2 of 14

Line graphs are drawn by connecting observed points where the two numerical quantities intersect.


Using Line Graphs 3 of 14

Cell Phone Subscribers

01020304050607080

1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

in M

illio

ns

Title

Numerical Scale

Label

Numerical Scale

Observed Points

Line graphs are used to compare two measured quantities.

In this case, the two quantities being compared are time and number of cell phone subscribers.

The dots represent the points at which actual measurementswere made.



01020304050607080

1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

in M

illio

ns

The points are located on the graph at the intersection of two measured quantities.

In 1994, there were 24.134 million cell phone subscribers. In 1996, there were 44.042 million.



01020304050607080

1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

in M

illio

ns

Once the points are established a line is drawn to fit the data as well as possible.

The number of cell phone subscribers was actually counted in 1984, 1986, 1988, etc.

But what was the count before 1984 or after 1998 or in 1995?



01020304050607080

1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

in M

illio

ns

A line graph can be used to make predictions when no actual measurements were made.

To determine the number of cell phone subscribers in 1995, go up from 1995 to the line and over to vertical scale.

According to the line graph there were about 33 million cell phone subscribers in 1995.



01020304050607080

1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

in M

illio

ns

The line graph let us predict a value that we didn’t actually measure.

To predict the number of cell phone subscribers in 1999, you must extend the line then go up from 1999 and over to the vertical scale.

According to the line graph there may be about 85 million cell phone subscribers in 1999.



01020304050607080

1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

in M

illio

ns

How is the 1999 prediction different from the 1995 prediction?

The 1995 prediction occurred between 2 measured points.

The 1999 prediction occurred after the last actual measurement.



01020304050607080

1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

in M

illio

ns

In which prediction do you have the most confidence?

The 1995 prediction is more reliable because we know what happened before and after. However, we don’t know what happened after 1998.

After 1998, cell phone subscriptions may continue to increase which is what we assumed.



01020304050607080

1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

in M

illio

ns

They may level off.

They may decline.

We can’t be sure what will happen after 1998.

?

How many cell phone subscribers were there in 1991?

In what year did the number of subscribers hit 55 million?

Using Line Graphs10 of 14


01020304050607080

1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

in M

illio

ns

About 8 million

In 1997

Using Line Graphs11 of 14

Construct a line graph to show the following data about the percent of US high school dropouts


1975 13.9

1980 14.1

1985 12.6

1990 12.1

1995 10.5

HS Dropouts (16-25 yr olds)

8

10

12

14

16

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Per

cent

HomeUsing Line Graphs12 of 14

Match the type of graph with its use.

Circle Graph

Bar Graph

Line Graph

Used to compare several categories

Shows the relationship between two measured quantities

Shows a single measurement of a number objects or events

Shows how a whole is divided into its parts.

Used to make predictions and show trends

Technical Science

Scientific Tools and Methods

You have completed

Tables and Graphs

technical science scientific tools and methods tables and graphs

Documents

etc2994156using tables

mouse prntr

initial problems

video system

present information

hardware column

lot of information

number of hardware problems