474 Graphing Appendix
To visualize and interpret these numbers, convert
this table into a line graph. The x-axis of this
graph will be the “Distance of water sample from
landfill” and the y-axis will be the “Number of
different species in sample.” Label both of these
axes, provide the measurement unit for the x-axis,
plot all of the above data, and include a title and
caption for your graph. When you are finished,
interpret your results. Do you think the landfill is
significantly affecting the diversity of species
living in this stream? Why or why not?- Suppose you are a scientist studying the biological
effectiveness and economic costs of three different
pesticides designed to keep insects from eating
corn. To test these pesticides, you conduct an ex-
periment in which you count the number of kernels
damaged by insects on 1000 ears of corn sprayed
with pesticide A, 1000 ears of corn sprayed with
pesticide B, and 1000 ears of corn sprayed with
pesticide C. You also quantify the cost of purchas-
ing and applying each of these pesticides to their
respective 1000 ears of corn. When this experi-
ment is over and you have collected all of your
data, you organize them into a table like this:
Convert these data into whatever type of graph
you think will best help you visualize and interpret
the results of this experiment. Be sure to include
all of the components that normally accompany
the type of graph you selected. When you are
finished, interpret your results. Which pesticide
would you recommend, and why?- Ask your own original scientific question that is
related to the material covered in one or more of
the chapters in this book, then:
a. Create your own hypothesis that predicts the
answer to your question. Explain the reasoning
behind your hypothesis.
b. Gather the necessary data to answer your
question. You may accomplish this by finding
these data on the internet, in print, or by con-
ducting an original investigation that enables
you to collect the data yourself.
c. Construct an appropriate graph that helps you
visualize and interpret these data.
d. Use this graph to answer your original question.
Was your hypothesis supported? Why or why
not?
e. Ask another original question that builds
on the results and implications of the data
presented in your graph. What would you
hypothesize the answer to this question
will be, and why? Explain how you would
investigate this question and test your
hypothesis.
Pesticide Average number Average cost
of kernels damaged of pesticide
by insectsA 32 $1.87
B 41 $2.09
C35 $1.11