How are data tables and graphs used in the real world?
Data tables are used to collect information, and graphs are used to present the same information. Usually, we see graphs in their final form – in newspapers, on TV, or on the Internet. The data tables have the details, but aren’t normally published. In scientific research, data tables are quite often mined for additional information. In our example, we only show the averages and we do not mention whether the student was a boy or a girl. We could find that information by going back to the data table. A basic problem graphing. Because a graph is a picture, it should be balanced and attractive. One problem in constructing a graph is deciding the range. In the graph above, the scale on the left goes from zero to twenty and has lines across at every 10 hours. Would the graph be better if there were lines at 5, 10, 15 and 20? The range across the bottom goes from A to E. But no one got an E in the class – should that be left out? Finally, the colors might be changed to make the graph easier
