Basics of Bar Graphs
Hello, class! Today we will the tackling the topic of bar graphs. Now, we are not going to be focusing on the other graphs [until future, more advanced courses] because bar graphs are the main chart or graph type in the APDD Community. We will be learning the basics of bar graphs and the information they can and cannot show. Let's get into it!
[Note: Please take notes as you will need them for future bar graph homework, and the upcoming exam!]
Bar graphs use horizontal or vertical rectangles to measure data. The rectangle [also known as the 'bar'] goes up to the point where it gets to the appropriate level. The bars make comparisons to eachother, making the data easy to read. Something that I would not recommend for bar graphs is showing 'trends', line graphs are more suited to that form of data.
Examples of Bar Charts
Horizontal Bar Graph: https://www.mathsisfun.com/data/images/bar-graph-horiz.svg
Vertical Bar Graph: http://getwordwall.com/Attachments/Screenshots/Play/bar-graph.png
How to Make a Bar Graph
Hello and welcome back, class! Today we'll be looking at how to make and create a bar graph. I will be demonstrating how to make a vertical bar graph.
1. Decide on a title. In this case, the title will be based on your subject for your flowchart in an APDD Investigation. (For example, What Colour Are You?)
2. Draw the horizontal and vertical axis (the lines on the left and bottom of your chart).
3. Label the horizontal axis. (For example, 'Colour'.)
4. Above the horizontal axis's label, label the bars (for example orange, blue, red, etc.).
5. Label the vertical axis. (For example, 'Number of People'.)
6. Decide on the scale. What is the least greatest number on the scale, and which is the greatest? In what range will the numbers go in? (For example, the least greatest number is 0 and the greatest number is 30. 0 + 5 = 10, 10 + 5 = 15, etc.)
7. Draw a bar for each label, with different colours to make it easy to tell apart data.
