Graphing the Right Way
The TASTE Method
Let’s Take a Look at a Graph.
• We might need some
more information
here!
Let’s Add the Key (Legend)!
• What does this tell
us?
• Can we make any
conclusions?
Maybe a Title Will Help…
• Not really specific…
• Do we know any
more than we did
before?
Now Let’s Add Some Scales!
• What do you notice
about the
DIFFERENCES
between the
numbers?
• What do you notice
about the SPACES
between the
numbers?
• Can we make any
conclusions yet?
What Do Those Numbers Mean?
• Y-axis is…
• X-axis is…
• NOW we can make
some conclusions!
The TASTE Method of Graphing
•
•
•
•
•
T = Title
A = Axes
S = Scale
T = Trends
E = Explain/Predict
Title
• In science, we name
a graph by the y-axis
vs. the x-axis
• What would the title of
this graph be?
Axes
• The y-axis and x-axis
need to be labeled
with…
– What they are
measuring
– Units in parentheses
Scale
• The number scales
on the axes need to…
– Start with zero unless
you are told otherwise
– Have equal intervals
between the numbers
• By 2’s, 5’s or 10’s is a
good place to start
– Have equal spaces
between the numbers
Some other things to remember
• Time
– Is ALWAYS on the x-axis!
– Time is the measurement; days, hours, or minutes are
the units!
• Line Graphs—used to show changes over time
or changes in related items
– There needs to be a line
– CONNECT THE DOTS!
– Next year you will do a “line of best fit”
• Bar Graphs—used when there are separate
categories to be compared
Trends
• A trend is a general
statement about what
is happening in the
graph.
• As vehicles get older,
what happens to the
number of problems?
Explain/Predict
• Make specific
conclusions about the
graph
• Which make of car
has the most
problems? The
fewest?
• What will likely be the
number of problems
with Hyundais after
10 years?
Put it all together…
• T = Title
• A = Axes
• S = Scale
• T = Trends
• E = Explain/Predict
• You will have all of the necessary tools to
make and analyze a graph!