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The two types of graphs are helpful in a variety of disciplines. In particular, mathematicians tend to use line graphs much more often then scatter plots. Can you think of a discipline that uses more scatter plots than line graphs?

We use scatterplot graphs and line graphs together to record our progress to our clients. We have a complicated system of progressing construction and each entry allows for the progress to go up percentage wise. We have scatterplot points for certain dates along with percentages and line segments that can show if we are on a late schedule or if we are early.

These graphs are presented to our management team and the clients we do work for so that they can have an idea of where each project stands. If we are on the early schedule then we stand to make more profit, but if we are late then we can end up losing hundred of thousands if not millions of dollars.

Microsoft Office states that scatter plots are most often used for "displaying and comparing numeric values, such as scientific, statistical, and engineering data" (Microsoft Office, 2012). These types of charts are useful for showing the relationships among the numeric values of data. I believe that medical researchers tend to use scatter plots as a way to show their completed data from any of their studies.

The Census Bureau would use the scatter plot to show the population of the U.S.

There are many uses for scatterplots by many different companies, agencies and information. However, the discipline that I was referring to is Statistics. It is a completely different area of study than mathematics (even though many people think they are the same), and focuses on looking at a variety of data to extrapolate a theory or general idea for the data. You mentioned the Census and they ways they may use scatter plots. In addition, some of your classmates also gave some good examples.

Can you think of any examples where you might use a scatterplot in everyday life?

A line graph tracks changes over a given period of time. The information is easy to read and understand. A person could monitor weight gain/loss. If you are attempting the first you would be going from the lower left hand corner to the upper right. If you are attempting the latter, you would be going from the upper left to the lower right. This is just connecting the dots.

It would be good to find out which months or holidays have the most sales.

To me, the scatter point is hard to read. I can see graphing the slope in this to help with showing trends, etc. about something, but it is more difficult to get a good reading when you are just looking at it. The line graph seems simpler to read. Most of the charts that a person reads seem to be in a line graph format. When the points are graphed and the line is drawn you can see the trends so much easier. But, I guess it all depends on the person setting up the information and who reads it.

One example of a scatter plot is when a person decides to lose weight. They could incorporate the data into a scatter plot to see how their diet is really coming along. It would show them weeks when they did not do quite as well and went off the dieting. An example of a line graph would be to mark a trend for a weekend crafter who sells their wares at festivals or online. They could enter their sales data for the month against their sales data for the same month the year before and connect their data for both years. This would allow them a visual to see how the sales go.

One thing we find as we get further along in mathematics is that there are different terms that essentially mean the same thing. For instance, we use the term "multiply" for most of our young life and then we add in "product" later one (which means the same thing). The term "x-intercept" has a few synonyms - 3 to be exact. One of them is a "solution". We often find a solution to an equation and that is also the x-intercept. Can anyone tell the class what the other 2 terms are?

Paper For Above instruction

Graphs are essential tools across numerous disciplines, offering visual representations of data that aid in analysis, understanding, and decision-making. Specifically, the use of scatter plots and line graphs varies considerably depending on the field, each serving unique purposes tailored to the nature of the data and the objectives of the discipline. While mathematicians predominantly utilize line graphs to demonstrate trends over time or ordered categories, other fields lean heavily on scatter plots to explore relationships between variables.

Disciplines Favoring Scatter Plots

One prominent discipline that relies more heavily on scatter plots than line graphs is statistics. As a core component of statistical analysis, scatter plots are invaluable for visualizing correlations and potential causal relationships between numerical variables. For example, statisticians may plot income levels against education years to examine socioeconomic patterns. Unlike line graphs, which display data points connected sequentially to show trends, scatter plots focus on the distribution and relationship among data points without implying a sequence or continuity, making them ideal for correlations rather than time-series analysis.

Medical research is another field where scatter plots dominate. Researchers analyze variables such as blood pressure versus age, cholesterol levels versus BMI, or drug doses versus patient response rates. These visualizations help to identify patterns, outliers, or clusters within the data, facilitating hypothesis generation and testing. In epidemiology, scatter plots might illustrate the relationship between environmental factors and disease prevalence across different regions, providing insights critical for public health strategies.

Practical Uses in Business and Government

In the business realm, sales analysis and market research often rely on scatter plots to examine the relationship between marketing investments and sales outcomes or customer demographics versus purchasing behavior. For instance, a retail company might plot advertisement expenditure against monthly sales figures to evaluate ROI. Similarly, government agencies like the Census Bureau utilize scatter plots extensively to visualize demographic data such as population distributions, migration patterns, or housing density, revealing trends that inform policy decisions.

Everyday Life Applications

On an individual level, scatter plots can be used to track personal health metrics over time, like plotting weight against calorie intake weekly. By visualizing this data, people can recognize patterns, plateaus, or setbacks, aiding in health management. Similarly, small business owners might analyze sales data across months and years, connecting the dots to detect seasonal trends or evaluate the impact of specific marketing campaigns.

Line Graphs Versus Scatter Plots

While line graphs excel at illustrating changes over time—such as tracking weight loss, sales growth, or project progress—scatter plots are more suited for illustrating relationships between two variables. For example, a line graph could plot weight over weeks; in contrast, a scatter plot might correlate dietary habits against weight change, providing deeper insights into underlying factors.

Shared Terminology and Concepts

Interestingly, as mathematical understanding deepens, terminology evolves, sometimes leading to multiple terms referring to the same concept. For instance, the x-intercept, which is the point where a graph crosses the x-axis, is also called a 'solution' of the equation where the function equals zero. Recognizing these synonyms enriches comprehension and communication within mathematical and scientific contexts.

Conclusion

In summary, the selection of graph types hinges on the nature of the data and the specific insights desired. Scatter plots are indispensable in fields focused on correlations, relationships, and distributions, such as statistics and medical research, whereas line graphs are often preferred for tracking changes over time. Understanding the appropriate application of each enhances data analysis and interpretation, ultimately supporting informed decision-making across various disciplines and everyday life.

References

• Microsoft Office Support. (2012). Scatter charts or scatter plots. Microsoft Support.