Activity 2

Bar graphs

Watch the short video below about bar graphs. Only watch the video till 6:03 minutes

 

Summary 

• Bar graphs or column graphs can be vertical or horizontal 
• Like line graphs, data is displayed on the X-axis and the Y-axis 
• Vertical bar graphs have labels on the horizontal axis and values on the vertical axis 
• Horizontal bar graphs have labels on the vertical axis and values on the horizontal axis 
• Bar graphs are easy to read as they clearly show the comparison of values 
• They are particularly useful as two or more data sets can be drawn in different colours on one graph for easy comparison 

Here is an example of a vertical bar graph: 

On the vertical bar graph example, identify and label the: 

• Values 
• Labels 
• X-axis 
• Y-axis 
• Title 

 

 Here is an example of a horizontal bar graph: 

On the horizontal bar graph example, identify and label the 

• Values 
• Labels 
• X-axis 
• Y-axis 
• Title 

Gathering Data for a Bar Graph 

Watch the quick 2 minute video below on gathering data for a bar graph before your data collection activity in the school car park: 

Activity 

Excel Worksheet: Gathering data on the colours of cars parked at school 

Instructions 

1. Following the teacher's instructions, walk to the school car park, where you will record the different colours of cars (this will form your X-axis_ parked at your school. 

2. On your electronic device (tablet or laptop) click on the Excel spreadsheet icon below and use the template created to collect data by tallying the various colours of cards in your school car park. 

3. Once you have collected your data, add up the total of each car colour (this will form your Y-axis). Save a copy to your desktop, add it to your Google classroom folder or send a copy to your teacher's email 

Making your bar graph

Instructions: 

1. Using grid paper, create your own bar graph to display the data you have collected on your excel spreadsheet 

2. Remember to include a title, X-axis, Y-axis, values and labels for your graph. You can choose if you prefer a horizontal or vertical layout for your graph. 

Questions 

In the Google Doc below, answer the following questions 

1. What car colour was the most common? Explain your answer (try using terms such as value, label, axis, etc). 

2. What car colour was the least common? Explain your answer (try using terms such as value, label, axis, etc). 

3. Why is a bar graph helpful in displaying the data your collected?