Topics · Graphs, Data & Chance
Graphs vs data
The numbers can stay the same while the picture changes. Learn to check both — and to pick the graph that fits your question.
Graphs are everywhere. Read them well and no picture can trick you.
More ways into this idea
- Play with itData PlaygroundChange one bar and watch the mean, median and mode react
Step into a storyThe Arcade ClaimThe poster says DOUBLE. The numbers say check the axis.- Make it a gameGraph DetectiveCrack the case: is the headline right?
Common sticking points
- A common sticking point is believing the bars instead of the numbers. If the axis doesn't start at 0, small gaps can look huge.
- Another is trusting a big claim without checking the numbers behind it.
Try this together
Find a graph anywhere (news, cereal box, game stats). Ask together: where does the axis start? Do the words match the numbers?
1–5 minutes, no materials to buy, nothing to hand in.
Ontario curriculum details
- D1.3Choose the best type of graph for the job
- D1.6Analyse data shown in different ways, including misleading graphs
Plain-language summaries. See the full curriculum for every expectation and the official source.