Data Presentation
&
Graphing
Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
The University of Texas-Pan American
College of Science and Engineering
Objectives
 Understand
the Usefulness of Data
Display in Tables.
 Practice
Visual Presentation of Data
Including Line Graphs, Circle Charts,
and Column Charts.

Assignment: Handout or download from website
(http://www.engr.panam.edu/~tarawneh)
Introduction
 Once
a project (problem) has been
completed (solved), it is necessary to
present the results (solution) to others.
 Engineers collect a wide variety of data
that must be summarized in reports as
tables and graphs.
 Engineers must develop the skills to
handle all types of data presentation.
Displaying data in tables
 Seeing
the number is very important.
 A good table should be identified by a
number and have a title that
satisfactorily explains the data.
 Data should be presented under
headings that include a description or
name of each variable and the units of
the variable.
Displaying data in tables
Presenting data in line graphs
 A two-variable
graph consists of data
points plotted along two axes, usually
arranged at 90 degrees to one another.
 Two-variable data points can appear in
any of the four quadrants of the
rectilinear coordinate field.
 Graphs can be classified as rectilinear
graphs or log graphs.
Presenting data in line graphs
Creating graphs using related
variables
 The
horizontal distance from the y-axis
is called the abscissa; the
corresponding vertical distance from the
x-axis is called the ordinate.
 The horizontal axis is used to plot the
independent variable and the vertical
axis shows the dependent variable.
Creating graphs using related
variables

In the graph of Velocity vs. Time, the time data runs the
length of the x-axis because Time is the independent
variable, and Velocity is displayed on the y-axis
because it represents the dependent variable.
Creating graph scales

A scale is a series of marks, called
graduations, laid down at predetermined
distances along the axis.
 Numerical values assigned to major
graduations are called calibrations.
 A scale can be uniform with equal spacing
along the axis or it can be non-uniform such
as the logarithmic scale.
 It is important to note that once you establish
the scale you are going to use, you must
keep that same scale along the entire axis.
Creating graph scales
Creating graph scales
Creating graph scales
Creating graph scales
Creating graph scales
Convention for different types of
data
 Experimental
data points are simply
plotted and connected by straight lines.
 Interpretations of what is happening
between the data points can be drawn
from the complete data set.
 A set of theoretical data derived from an
equation are plotted as a solid line with
no points.
Creating circle charts

Circle charts or pie graphs allow for comparisons to
be made easily. These graphs visually compare
(through percentages or ratios) the different
information that is placed within them.
Creating circle charts
Creating column charts
 Identify
each item in the category along
the x-axis.
 Create a scale on the y-axis to
accommodate all of the data.
 Plot the amount of each item as a
column above the item.
 The columns can be left open, can be
shaded, or can be solid.
Creating column charts
Open Forum
Tutorial:
Using excel to create a line graph
 The ability to create
graphs is a required tool
that will be implemented
throughout your
educational and
professional journey.
Because of the demand
for graphical skills, we
will walk you through
the creation of the
graph seen in slide nine
of this presentation.
Tutorial:
Using excel to create a line graph
1.
2.
3.
4.
Begin by starting Excel.
Once the spreadsheet is
active, you will need to place
the data that you would like to
graph within the worksheet. In
this case, the velocities and
times are inputted as shown in
the picture to the right.
With the velocity and time
data inputted, you will now
need to open the chart wizard
which is located in the toolbar
at the top of the excel
spreadsheet.
Once the chart wizard is
active you should see the pop
up window shown to the right.
Velocity (miles/hour)
Time (seconds)
2005
0
2009
20
2023
40
2040
60
2057
80
2038
100
Tutorial:
Using excel to create a line graph
5.
6.
For this graph, we are
going to create an x-y line
graph with the plotted
points connected with
straight lines, so we will
go ahead and choose the
XY Scatter plot from the
chart type option, and
then from the chart subtype option, we choose
the straight line
connection (see the
image to the right).
Once selected hit the next
button.
Tutorial:
Using excel to create a line graph
7.
After hitting next, the following window will allow for input of the data
so that the chart can be made. Because we have both X and Y data,
and would like to plot them against each other, we have to use the
SERIES option, so go ahead and hit the series tab.
8.
After hitting the series tab, begin to input the data that is needed.
First, in the name box, decide on what you would like to call the data
(test 1, test 2, etc…).
9.
Now click in the X value box and delete its contents; we are going to
add our own numbers.
10. Click in the empty X value box and then go to the time column in the
spreadsheet and highlight the data to be used (in our case, it is all the
values from 0 - 100). If done correctly, you should see something
very similar to what is in the X value box shown in the next slide.
11. With the X values inputted, we need to input our Y values. The
process used to input the X values is also used to input the Y values.
At this point, you should already be able to see the way the graph will
look.
Tutorial:
Using excel to create a line graph
 This is what you should see on the monitor. Note that the X & Y values
have already been inputted, thus, showing the way the graph will look.
Tutorial:
Using excel to create a line graph
12. After having inputted the
data, go ahead and click
on the next button.
Clicking next will bring
you to the title and labels
window were you can
input the title of the graph,
and the X & Y labels that
will appear on the X and
Y axes.
13. Make sure that you
include all units. Without
units, your graph is
meaningless.
Tutorial:
Using excel to create a line graph
14. After having titled the graph
and labeled the X and Y
axes, click the next button.
15. In the final window you will
be prompted to either place
the chart within the current
work sheet or place it in a
new one; go ahead and
decide which you would like
to do (in this example, I went
ahead and placed it within
the current worksheet - see
image to right).
16. After deciding where you
want to place the chart, you
should be able to see the
final graph you created.
Tutorial:
Using excel to create a line graph
 With everything completed, the graph you created
should look like the one below (the finished product).
Velocity (mi/hr) Vs. Time (s)
2060
Velocity (miles/hour)
2050
2040
2030
Data
2020
2010
2000
0
20
40
60
Time (seconds)
80
100
120