Statistics - Draw Line Graphs - Presentation

In this educational segment, students are introduced to the process of creating line graphs to effectively represent continuous data. The lesson underscores the importance of understanding scales and coordinates in graphing. They explore the concept of continuous data through discussions and activities, which include drawing line graphs to present varying datasets. For instance, one activity involves plotting the average rainfall in Leicester over the course of a year. Students are prompted to consider the accuracy of their graphs in relation to the scale used on the vertical axis, such as whether intervals of 5mm would increase or decrease the precision of the graph.

Further activities require students to apply their skills to different scenarios, such as representing the sales of a new DVD release in a supermarket or converting currencies between pounds and rupees, as well as pounds and Jamaican dollars. Each task challenges the students to think critically about the choice of scale for their graphs to ensure clarity and accuracy. The lesson also encourages the integration of this graphing objective with scientific investigations, suggesting that students collect their own data to graph, related to experiments like measuring shadows, observing melting rates, or tracking plant growth. Through these varied exercises, students learn to justify their reasoning for the scales used and identify any mistakes in plotting data, thereby strengthening their understanding of statistical representation through line graphs.