Question

based on these definitions, and the descriptions of the experiments below, please put an “x” in the box for the type of graph that would be most appropriate (some descriptions may have several graph types that would be appropriate; you only need to select one)

description pie bar histo. line scatter

ex a graph showing the number of 5th graders who prefer coke or pepsi x
1 a graph showing how a newborn babys weight changes over time
2 a graph showing the percentage of the class earning as, bs, and cs.
3 a graph showing the distribution of trees of different size groups (e.g. 0 - 10cm, 10 - 20cm, etc...) in a forest
4 a graph showing the relationship between height and arm length
5 a graph showing the percentage of an allowance spent on different categories (e.g. food, movies, etc)
6 a graph showing the amount of rainfall, by month over a 12 - month period
7 a graph showing the number of ice cream cones purchased as a function of the days temperature
8 a graph showing the number of pushups done each day during a 2 - week training program

Explanation:

1. For a newborn baby's weight changing over time, a line - graph is appropriate as the dependent variable (weight) is continuous and the points are connected because the weight at a later time depends on previous values.
2. To show the percentage of the class earning As, Bs, and Cs, a pie - chart is suitable as it presents data as a "part of a whole" in percentages.
3. For the distribution of trees of different size groups in a forest, a histogram is best as the dependent variable (tree size groups) has a natural order that can be grouped into defined "chunks" and the bars must touch.
4. To show the relationship between height and arm length, a scatter - plot is appropriate as the dependent variable is continuous and the points are not connected since the observations are independent.
5. To show the percentage of an allowance spent on different categories, a pie - chart is fitting as it shows data as a "part of a whole" in percentages.
6. For the amount of rainfall by month over a 12 - month period, a line - graph is good as the dependent variable (rainfall amount) is continuous and the points are connected because rainfall in a later month may be related to previous months.
7. To show the number of ice - cream cones purchased as a function of the day's temperature, a scatter - plot is right as the dependent variable is continuous and the points are not connected as each purchase is an independent event.
8. For the number of push - ups done each day during a 2 - week training program, a line - graph is proper as the dependent variable (number of push - ups) is continuous and the points are connected as the number of push - ups on a later day may be related to previous days' training.

Answer:

1. Line
2. Pie
3. Histo.
4. Scatter
5. Pie
6. Line
7. Scatter
8. Line