New
New
Year 8

Statistical problems - data presentations

I can choose appropriate representations to explore a statistical problem.

New
New
Year 8

Statistical problems - data presentations

I can choose appropriate representations to explore a statistical problem.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Graphical representations should effectively represent the data.
  2. Some graphical representations are easier to understand than others.
  3. Graphical representations may be chosen to emphasise a particular conclusion.

Common misconception

You always need to start the axis of a scatter graph at (0,0).

The axis of a scatter graph should use a scale that makes the points as clear to see as possible, without distorting the shape of the data.

Keywords

  • Pictogram - A pictogram (pictograph) is a graph consisting of pictures to visually represent the frequency of objects or groups.

  • Bar chart - A bar chart (bar graph) is a graph consisting of bars visually representing the frequency of objects or groups.

  • Scatter graph - A visual representation for bivariate data. It can be useful when determining the nature of the relationship between two variables

  • Pie chart - A bar chart (bar graph) is a graph consisting of bars visually representing the frequency of objects or groups

Load up a spreadsheet or Desmos and plot a scatter graph for a set of bivariate data which has correlation. Change the settings on the axis to different scales and ask pupils whether the correlation is more or less clear to see each time.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match each graph to its description.
Correct Answer:bar chart,represents frequencies with bars

represents frequencies with bars

Correct Answer:pictogram,represents frequencies with contextual images and a key

represents frequencies with contextual images and a key

Correct Answer:pie chart,circular graph representing different groups proportionally

circular graph representing different groups proportionally

Correct Answer:scatter graph,represents bivariate data as coordinates on a grid

represents bivariate data as coordinates on a grid

Q2.
What type of correlation does the scatter graph show?
An image in a quiz
negative correlation
no correlation
Correct answer: positive correlation
Q3.
How many giraffes are represented in the pictogram? giraffes
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 5, five
Q4.
The pie charts show the types of potato served by school canteens in two locations. Which statement is always true for the data represented in the pie charts?
An image in a quiz
The frequency of mashed potato is greater in Location 4 than Location 5.
Correct answer: The proportion of mashed potato is greater in Location 4 than Location 5.
The amount of boiled potato served is the same in both locations
Q5.
Which place had the same number of visitors on both Saturday and Sunday?
An image in a quiz
Museum
Zoo
Correct answer: Theatre
Q6.
This line graph shows data about journey times to work over a week. The median journey time is minutes.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 28, twenty eight, twenty-eight

6 Questions

Q1.
Which type of graph would be the most appropriate for showing correlation between bivariate data?
bar chart
pictogram
pie charts
Correct answer: scatter graph
Q2.
Which type of graph visually illustrates the context of the data as well as the frequencies?
bar chart
line graph
Correct answer: pictogram
pie chart
scatter graph
Q3.
Which type of graph would be the most appropriate for showing how a single variable has changed over time?
Correct answer: line graph
pictogram
pie chart
scatter graph
Q4.
True or false: the scale on scatter graphs always needs to start at zero.
true
Correct answer: false
Q5.
Which type of graph would be inappropriate for representing the data in the table?
An image in a quiz
bar chart
pictogram
pie chart
Correct answer: scatter graph
Q6.
Which elements are missing from this bar chart?
An image in a quiz
angles
an axis break on the vertical axis
a key
Correct answer: label for the scale on the vertical axis
Correct answer: labels on the horizontal axis for the bars