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Technology Literacy
Think Critically with Data | Data Analysis
Chart Types
Key Concept
How many kinds of data are there? The amount of
data you could collect is unlimited. Anything that can
be observed or measured is a potential source of
data. But not everything produces the same kind of
data. That is why different types of charts are
available. Certain kinds of data are best represented
by particular types of charts.
Suppose you measure the height of boys and girls in your
class. You want to compare the results to see whether boys
or girls are taller. What type of data is that? What chart
would you choose to represent that data? Bar charts are
usually the best way to compare numbers. Height is
numerical data, so you would probably choose a bar chart.
Some types of charts are called graphs, but all graphs and
charts will be referred to as charts throughout this activity.
Suppose you measure the height of boys and girls in your
class every month. You want to show how much your
classmates have grown. Is that the same type of data? Would
you use the same type of chart? Line graphs are usually the
best way to show how data changes over time.
Look Ahead
Task: Read and interpret
four types of charts.
Goal: Show that you know
what kind of data is
appropriate for each type
of chart.
You may want to review an
example of a chart types
analysis before you begin.
See the example:
Chart Types Analysis
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Technology Literacy
Vocabulary
Words to Remember
This page gives basic definitions for some important terms that can help you learn about
different types of charts. You can get a more complete definition of each term from Fact
Monster*.
New Words
Bar Chart: A picture that compares similarities and differences in a set of data.
Line Graph: A picture that shows how a set of data changes over time.
Pie Chart: A picture that compares parts of a set of data with each other and to the whole
set.
Review Words
Chart: Another term for graph, especially one that uses a picture to show relationships
among selected parts of a set of data.
Data: Information collected by observation or measurement.
Graph: Another term for chart, especially one that shows the relationship between two or
more sets of numbers, and also shows change over time.
Grid: A system of lines that divides a space into equally sized segments.
Interpret: Understand or explain meaning.
Legend: A box or area that explains the meaning of colors or symbols used in a chart or
graph.
Representation: An image, expression, or example of a topic or idea.
Visual: Using pictures or images to attract viewers’ eyes to information or an idea.
X-axis: The labeled straight line at the bottom of a chart or graph that runs left to right, or
horizontally.
Y-axis: The labeled straight line at the side of a chart or graph that runs up and down, or
vertically.
Copyright © Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Adapted with permission. Intel, the Intel logo and the Intel
Education Initiative are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
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Technology Literacy
Exploration
Learning from the Web
Certain kinds of data require particular types of charts to represent them. The most
common representations of data include:



Comparing parts of the whole to each other.
Looking for similarities or differences among items.
Tracking change over time.
Explore some Web sites about different types of charts. Learn what type of chart to use in
each of the preceding cases.
While you explore the following Web sites, think about the guiding questions. You may want
to take notes to help you answer the questions. If you think of other questions about the
relationship between data and charts, keep those in mind too.
Guiding Questions


What are the most common types of charts?
What kind of data does each type of chart represent? Can you think of some other
examples of that kind of data?
Web Sites




Graph Types* from NCEAS*
Create a Graph* from NCES Kids*
The Types of Graphs* from FoDOweb*
Using Data and Statistics* from the Math League*
Copyright © Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Adapted with permission. Intel, the Intel logo and the Intel
Education Initiative are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
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Technology Literacy
Information
What to Know
This page summarizes some of the information from the Web sites you explored. This
information helps you learn what you need to know for this activity about types of charts.
You may want to take notes to help you remember the most important points. You can
return to the Web sites for more exploration if you want to learn more.
Types of Charts
Certain kinds of data require particular types of charts and graphs to represent them. The
most common types of charts include:

Bar Chart. Compares similarities and differences in a set of data. The items that you
want to compare are represented by bars. The height or length of the bar represents
the quantity of each item. For example, you could use a bar chart to compare the
number of pizzas consumed by an average family in different states or countries.

Line Graph. Shows how a set of data changes over time. Time is usually
represented on the x-axis. The items that you want to track over time are
represented by points connected by lines. The location of the point on the y-axis
represents the quantity of a data item at a particular time. For example, you could
use a line graph to track the number of pizzas consumed by your family in each
month of the year and see how the pizza habits of your family change throughout
the year and how many pizza are consumed in a year.
Copyright © Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Adapted with permission. Intel, the Intel logo and the Intel
Education Initiative are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
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Technology Literacy

Pie Chart. Compares parts of a set of data with each other and to the whole set. A
pie chart gets its name from the fact that it looks like a pie—it is a circle representing
a single set of data. Each part of the data set is represented by a slice of the pie. The
size of the slice represents the quantity of that part. For example, the circle may
represent a pizza consumed by your family. Each slice would represent the quantity
of pizza eaten by a member of your family. A pie chart does not have an x-axis or a
y-axis because it shows relationships within a single data set.
Copyright © Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Adapted with permission. Intel, the Intel logo and the Intel
Education Initiative are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
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Technology Literacy
Task
What to Do
Complete the following task to show what you have learned about different types of charts.
While you work through the task, think about whether you are achieving the goal. You may
want to review an example of a chart types analysis before you begin.
Task: Read and interpret four different kinds of charts.
Goal: Show that you know what type of chart is appropriate
for different kinds of data.
See the example: Chart Types Analysis
1. Start a new word processing document. Always remember to
type your name, the data, and a title at the top of the
document.
Help Guide
Use the Intel® Education
Help Guide to learn
technology skills.
Web Technologies
Go to page in:
Internet Explorer*
Mozilla Firefox*
Safari*
2. Review each of these example charts from NCES Kids*.
 Airline On-Time Statistics and Delay Causes*
Search the Help Guide
 International Per Capita Consumption of Turkey*
 Average Price of Gasoline*
 Percentage of Students Who Reported Being Bullied at School*
3. For each of the four example charts, answer the following questions using a bulleted or
numbered list format:
 What is the title of the chart?
 What type of chart is it?
 What kind of data does the chart represent?
 Why was the type of chart chosen to represent the data?
4.
5.
6.
7.
Remember to save your document often while you work.
Review the checklist to make sure your interpretation is complete.
Check with your teacher to make sure you have interpreted the charts correctly.
Share your interpretations.
Copyright © Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Adapted with permission. Intel, the Intel logo and the Intel
Education Initiative are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
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Technology Literacy
Task Example
Student Name
Date
Looking at Different Types of Charts
Here are my answers on the questions for the Airline On-Time Statistics and Delay Causes
chart.




What is the title of the chart?
On-Time Arrival Performance
National – September 2006
What type of chart is it?
Pie Chart
What kind of data does the chart represent?
Reasons why airplanes are late arriving at the airport
Why was this type of chart chosen to represent this data?
A pie chart shows how much each reason for delayed arrivals compares with
other reasons for delayed arrivals.
Here are my answers on the questions for the International Per Capita Consumption of
Turkey chart.




What is the title of the chart?
Graph 2 – Per Capita Consumption of Turkey
What type of chart is it?
Line chart
What kind of data does the chart represent?
How many kgs. of turkey were eaten in Canada from 1983 to 2003.
Why was this type of chart chosen to represent this data?
A line chart shows how the amount of turkey eaten by Canadians changes.
Here are my answers on the questions for the Average Price of Gasoline chart.




What is the title of the chart?
Chart of the Week for April 16-22, 2004
What type of chart is it?
Line Chart
What kind of data does the chart represent?
The price of gasoline per gallon
Why was this type of chart chosen to represent this data?
A line chart shows how the prices for gasoline changes over time.
Copyright © Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Adapted with permission. Intel, the Intel logo and the Intel
Education Initiative are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
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Technology Literacy
Here are my answers on the questions for the Percentage of Students Who Reported Being
Bullied at School chart.




What is the title of the chart?
There is no chart title.
What type of chart is it?
Pie Chart
What kind of data does the chart represent?
Whether a student is a bully, a victim, both a bully and a victim, or neither a
bully nor a victim.
Why was this type of chart chosen to represent this data?
A pie chart shows how each student identification as a bully or a victim compares
with other students.
Copyright © Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Adapted with permission. Intel, the Intel logo and the Intel
Education Initiative are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
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