Question

which graph best represents the data in the table below?
% of kernels popped in 2 minutes | popcorn brand 1 | popcorn brand 2 | popcorn brand 3 | popcorn brand 4 | popcorn brand 5

78%

86%

92%

89%

96%

bar graph (w), pie chart (x), scatter plot (y), line graph (z) with respective brand and percentage visualizations

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the data type

The data is about the percentage of kernels popped for different popcorn brands, which is a categorical (brands) vs. numerical (percentage) relationship. A bar graph is suitable for comparing categories, a pie chart for parts of a whole (not here as we are comparing brands, not parts of a single whole), scatter plot for two numerical variables (not here), and line graph for trends over time (not here).

Step2: Evaluate Graph W

Graph W is a bar graph. Let's check the values:

• Brand 1: 78% – the red bar should end near 78.
• Brand 2: 86% – orange bar near 86.
• Brand 3: 92% – blue bar near 92.
• Brand 4: 89% – green bar near 89.
• Brand 5: 96% – yellow bar near 96.

These match the table values.

Step3: Evaluate Graph X (Pie Chart)

Pie charts show proportions of a whole. Here, we are comparing different brands, not parts of a single whole (e.g., total kernels across brands). Also, the percentages in the pie chart (75%, 86%, 92%, 89%, 96%) don't sum to 100% (75+86+92+89+96 = 438%), so it's incorrect.

Step4: Evaluate Graph Y (Scatter Plot)

Scatter plots are for two numerical variables (e.g., x and y). Here, we have one numerical (percentage) and one categorical (brand), so scatter plot is inappropriate.

Step5: Evaluate Graph Z (Line Graph)

Line graphs are for showing trends over time or continuous data. Here, brands are categorical, not a continuous variable, so line graph is inappropriate.

Answer:

Graph W (the bar graph labeled W) best represents the data as it correctly uses a bar graph to compare the percentage of kernels popped across different popcorn brands, matching the data values.