Choose the best type of graph

key notes:

Understanding Different Graph Types:

  • Bar Graph: Used to compare amounts or frequencies of different categories. The bars can be vertical or horizontal.
  • Pictograph: Uses pictures or symbols to represent data. Each picture represents a set number of items.
  • Line Graph: Used to show changes over time or trends. A line connects data points, showing the relationship between them.
  • Pie Chart: Shows parts of a whole, using slices to represent different categories. The size of each slice shows its proportion to the total.

Choosing the Best Graph:

  • Bar Graph: Best for comparing quantities across different categories (e.g., favorite colors, number of pets).
  • Pictograph: Great for making data easy to understand, especially for younger audiences (e.g., how many apples were sold).
  • Line Graph: Ideal for showing trends or changes over time (e.g., temperature over a week).
  • Pie Chart: Perfect for showing percentages or parts of a whole (e.g., how the budget is divided).

Learn with an example

1) Which type of graph would best show the number of sit-ups each fourth-grade student can do?

  • stem-and-leaf plot
  • bar graph
  • pictograph
  • The best type of graph to show the number of sit-ups each fourth-grade student can do is a stem-and-leaf plot. It shows the numbers in a large data set arranged by place value. Example:
Points per game
 Stem  Leaf 
0    
1     0 1 2 2 4 9 9
2     2 9
3     0 1 2
4     0 4
5     2 2 4 6
6     1 1 1 1 4 8
  • The other types of graphs are not as good.

A bar graph compares two or more values. Example:

Class size

Number of students
  • A pictograph compares two or more values that are multiples of a number. Example:
Reading competition results
Zachary
Alexis
Gina
Brandon
Each= 2 books

2) Which type of graph would best show the number of flowers planted at each school in the state?

  • bar graph
  • stem-and-leaf plot
  • pictograph
  • The best type of graph to show the number of flowers planted at each school in the state is a stem-and-leaf plot. It shows the numbers in a large data set arranged by place value. Example:
Participants per race
 Stem  Leaf 
11     1
12     5
13    
14     3
15    
16    
17     0 5
18     2 3 7
  • The other types of graphs are not as good.
  • A bar graph compares two or more values. Example:
  • A pictograph compares two or more values that are multiples of a number. Example:
Kilometres run
Carmen
Emmy
Zane
Wesley
Each= 5 kilometres

3) Which is the best type of graph to show the number of tickets sold for five different films?

  • stem-and-leaf plot
  • bar graph
  • The best type of graph to show the number of tickets sold for five different films is a bar graph. It compares two or more values. Example:
  • The other types of graphs are not as good.
  • A stem-and-leaf plot shows the numbers in a large data set arranged by place value. Example:
Articles per magazine
 Stem  Leaf 
0     6
1     0 5
2     2 3
3     2 8
4     5 6

Let’s practice!🖊️