Graphs are a powerful way to model behaviors. They can help visually recognize trends and more importantly they can be used to create math models between the cause and effects in science. To better communicate, English classes teaches us how structure our sentences and works of literature. Math and science also provide us with structure to organize and better communicate with graphs.

The axes on a graph are always made from a labs dependent and independent variables. The independendent variable always goes on the horizontal axis. The independent variable always goes on the vertical axis.

These axes are described with labels and units. Units are always in parenthesis. The labels consist of words or phrases. They do not consist of variable letters.

This graph shows the labels and units.

When drawing a graph on a piece of graph paper, the graph should take up at least 2/3's of the graph space. That means the actual line/curve that is drawn should take up 2/3's of the sheet of paper.

If you are taking a "screen shot" of a graph make it the full width and make the font as large as possible. Having said that, if you are using "Logger Pro," you cannot adjust the size of the font on the axes. You can only adjust the size of the font in the dialog boxes that report statistics.

This graph does not take up at least 2/3's of the graph space.	This graph does not take up at least 2/3's of the graph space.	The grid takes up 2/3's of the graph space but the line does not.	This take up more than 2/3's of the graph space. It's a good graph.

 

Example

When turning in a graph that is made from LoggerPro, it must have a certain "look." The graph should be auto-scaled, . Use crtl+R, (+R on a mac,) to auto-arrange the screen before taking a screenshot to put in your report. If you are analyzing a video or photo using Logger Pro, this auto arrange feature will space it on the screen along with the graph and datatable. The graph should include a line of best fit with the line's statistics. Double click in statistics box and then press the appearance button to make the font large enough to be seen when made smaller in the report. The labels must be appropriate for the experiment. This is done by clicking on the labels in Logger Pro's data table. (The example graph below says "light Intensity" and "distance.") Graphs must use SI units unless otherwise instructed.