GRAPHING

1. GRAPHING • Using the following data we will look at how to assemble a line graph to represent the relationship between number of wraps of wire and number of paper clips picked up.

2. Our graph will be made on a grid that is 10 X 10, but any grid would work.

3. The vertical axis is called the “Y” axis. The horizontal axis is called the “X” axis.

4. The independent variable is the data that we control. For example . . . The student determines how many wraps of wire they will use. So, the number of wraps of wire is the independent variable. We will plot the independent variable on the horizontal (X axis). Label this axis Number of wraps of wire

5. The dependent variable is the data that depends on what the students does. The student determines how many wraps of wire they will use but, they don’t know how many paper clips the magnet will pickup. So, the number of paper clips picked up is the dependent variable. Number of paper clips picked up We will plot the dependent variable on the vertical (Y axis). Label this axis Number of wraps of wire

6. Electromagnet Strength: Wraps vs. Number of Paper Clips Place an informative title at the top. Number of paper clips picked up Number of wraps of wire

7. Electromagnet Strength: Wraps vs. Number of Paper Clips Now we are ready to number the graph. Number of paper clips picked up Number of wraps of wire

8. First, let’s go back and look at the data. Number of wraps of wire 28 We’ll begin with the independent variable, the number of wraps of wire. The largest number we have is 28, For the smallest number we will use 0. If we had 0 number of wraps the magnet would pick up 0 paper clips. So the range of numbers on the horizontal (X axis) must go from 0 to at least 28.

9. Numbers should line up with the vertical lines . . . not between lines. Number of paper clips picked up 0 1 Number of wraps of wire

10. How do we get numbers from 0 to 28 to fit on a grid that only has 10 lines? The lines can be any value we decide as long as we stay consistent on an axis. We could number our horizontal (X axis) by 1’s , but that would only get us up to 10. We need to go to 28. Number of paper clips picked up 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Number of wraps of wire

11. Numbering by 2’s will only take us to 20. We do not need to end at exactly 28, and if we number by 3’s we can take any number up to 30. Number of paper clips picked up 24 27 30 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 Number of wraps of wire

12. 20 Now we do the same thing with the vertical (Y axis). 18 This axis does not need to have the same numbering as the X axis. 16 14 For this axis we need a range that goes from 0 to at least 19. 12 Number of paper clips picked up If we number this axis by 2’s we can get all the way to 20. 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 Number of wraps of wire

13. Electromagnet Strength: Wraps vs. Number of Paper Clips 20 18 16 14 12 Now we can plot the actual data. Number of paper clips picked up 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 Number of wraps of wire

14. 20 The first point will be for trial 1. One 6 8 18 16 Locate where 8 can be found on the X axis. It is between 6 and 9, closer to 9. 14 Locate 6 on the Y axis. 12 Plot a point on the graph where these two lines intersect. Number of paper clips picked up 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 Number of wraps of wire

15. Plot the points for trials 2 and 3. 20 18 16 14 12 Number of paper clips picked up 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 Number of wraps of wire

16. 20 18 16 14 12 Number of paper clips picked up 10 8 We can plot a final point at 0 on the X axis and 0 on the Y axis since zero wraps will not pick up any paper clips. 6 4 2 0 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 Number of wraps of wire

17. Electromagnet Strength: Wraps vs. Number of Paper Clips 20 18 16 14 12 Number of paper clips picked up 10 8 6 Finally, connect the points with a line. 4 2 0 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 Number of wraps of wire

18. Electromagnet Strength: Wraps vs. Number of Paper Clips 20 18 16 14 12 Number of paper clips picked up 10 8 6 4 2 0 Nice! 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 Number of wraps of wire