HOW TO READ GRAPHS

A graph is a picture of information

The picture provided by a graph can enable us to see information more quickly than having to read a table of data.

But you need to know how to read a graph, and how to find out what it is about. There are three main elements in a graph: - a vertical axis (the y- axis)- a horizontal axis (the x-axis), - at least one line or set of bars.

To understand a graph, do the following:

• Read the title of the graph. • Read the labels and the range of numbers

along the side (the scale or vertical axis), and the information on the bottom (horizontal) axis.

• Determine what units the graph uses. This information can be found on the axis or in the legend.

• Look for patterns, groups and differences.

Learn how to read graphs

Reading graphs is an art form that can be mastered! There are many factors on a graph that go into making decisions.

You have to be able to analyze all of these factors and come to a conclusion. There are several things on a graph that tell you valuable information.

The QUESTIONS that you want to ASK yourself about a GRAPH are:

What does this graph tell me? Is this graph in and uptrend or a downtrend? Is the graph at the beginning, middle, or end of the trend? How strong is the trend? Where are the trend lines? What do the moving averages tell me? Was there a breakout recently? Is the graph "smooth" or "sloppy"? Are there any graph patterns? What do the numbers tell me?

THE LANGUAGE OF GRAPHS

Types of Graphs and Charts

Line Graph/Bar Chart

Pie Chart

Describing Movement

Increase

Decrease

Recover

Recovery

Go up

Go down

Jump

Slump

Rise

Fall

Surge

Plummet

Improve(ment)

Declined

Reach (a point)

Approach

Types of Movement

Slight

Slightly

Gradual

Gradually

Sharp

Sharply

Dramatic

Dramatically

Major

Minor

Movement over Time There was a gradual decline in sales. (noun usage) Sales declined gradually (verb usage)

Examples: Enrollment increased by 4% in 1997.

There was a 4% increase in enrollment in 1997.

Immigration rose to 800,000 in 1999. (to a point/number)Immigration rose by 20,000 in 1999. (by increment)

There was a 20% rise in immigration. (percentage)

Taxes remained the same from 2000 to 2001. Taxes continued at 15% for two years.

Static (non-movement) Description

Sales stood at $1,400,000 in 1998.

Profits were $27,000 in 1999.

There was a loss of $21,000 in 2001.

Good Luck Class of 2012!

Believe and Achieve!!!