Graphs and plotting in two dimensions

A graph is a visual representation of a set of data, typically used to show the relationship between two or more variables. In this tutorial, we will cover the basics of graphing and plotting in two dimensions, including how to create and interpret line graphs, scatter plots, and bar graphs.

To create a graph, we first need to collect data on the variables we want to compare. For example, if we want to compare the heights of a group of people, we would need to measure the height of each person and record it in a data table. Once we have our data, we can plot the data on a coordinate grid, with one variable on the x-axis and the other variable on the y-axis.

To create a line graph, we plot each data point on the coordinate grid and then connect the points with a line. Line graphs are often used to show how one variable changes in relation to another variable over time. For example, a line graph could be used to show the relationship between the amount of rainfall and the number of plants in a garden over the course of a year.

Scatter plots are similar to line graphs, but instead of connecting the data points with a line, the data points are plotted individually on the coordinate grid. Scatter plots are often used to show the relationship between two variables, without making any assumptions about the nature of the relationship. For example, a scatter plot could be used to show the relationship between a person’s height and their weight.

Bar graphs are another type of graph that is used to compare different values or categories. In a bar graph, the data is plotted on the y-axis and the categories are plotted on the x-axis. The height of each bar represents the value of the data for that category. For example, a bar graph could be used to compare the average income of different age groups.

In this tutorial, we will go over these concepts in more detail and practice creating and interpreting different types of graphs. By the end of this tutorial, you should have a good understanding of the basics of graphing and be able to create and interpret various types of graphs to visualise and analyse data.