Graphing Histograms Worksheet

Back to Welcome.

Back to Honors Chemistry.

Back to Unit 1

This activity introduces "Graphical Analysis", a proram we will make extensive use of this Year. You will need to see me to get a copy of the data you need.

Graph 1:

  1. Under the Apple Menu, open up the program "Graphical Analysis". Note that it starts you out with 3 windows: a blank data table, a blank text window, and a blank graph. Graphical Analysis will let you have lots of windows open at the same time, but will only execute commands for window at a time: the active "dark gray" window.
  2. Click the mouse directly on the "x" in the column headed "x". The "X" will show up in the box above (it works like a spreadsheet). Type in the word "percentages", hit RETURN, and type in "%". Note that the x-axis on your graph is now labeled "percentages (%)".
  3. Enter the data on astrology into the % column. Use the command DATA -> Data Options to round the values in the data window to match your data.
  4. Get rid of the blank graph window (click in the box in its upper left corner). Then use the command GRAPH -> New Histogram to get a histogram. Your data are automatically plotted and the histogram becomes the active window. Use GRAPH -> Rename Histogram 1 to title your histogram with your team's names.
  5. Open the Scaling dialog box by either (a) double clicking on the histogram or (b) using the GRAPH -> Scaling command.
  6. The program has selected what it thinks is the best way to display the data. The histogram is scaled "from the data" (the high and low points on the x-axis reflect the highest and lowest numbers you typed in) and has a bin size that groups the data. Explore changing the bin size several items, and seeing what happens to the histogram.
  7. The correct bin size and scaling should make patterns in the data clear. The reason for making any graph is to help you understand the data. In this case the data form a bell shaped curve. Adjust the bin size and scaling to show this curve. PRINT the GRAPH.
  8. Calculate the mean of your data, and write it on your print-out. Does the mean match the peak of your histogram? Answer on your graph.

Graph 2:

  1. Make a histogram of "Married Teens" or "Ages of Presidents". Choose a scale and bin size that show off the patterns in your data. Display the data to the proper rounding. Title the histogram with your team's names. Print a copy of the histogram.

BACK TO TOP OF PAGE