Questions: The mayor of a small town is trying to determine the change in population of his town over time. Which type of graph would best represent the data in the table?
Year Population
1990 10,350
1995 10,750
2000 11,150
2005 11,500
2010 11,650
bar graph
line graph
line plot
stem and leaf plot
Transcript text: The mayor of a small town is trying to determine the change in population of his town over time. Which type of graph would best represent the data in the table?
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
\hline Year & Population \\
\hline 1990 & 10,350 \\
\hline 1995 & 10,750 \\
\hline 2000 & 11,150 \\
\hline 2005 & 11,500 \\
\hline 2010 & 11,650 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
bar graph
line graph
line plot
stem and leaf plot
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Understand the Data
The data provided is a time series showing the population of a town at different years. The goal is to determine which type of graph best represents the change in population over time.
Step 2: Analyze the Graph Options
Bar Graph: Typically used to compare quantities across different categories. Not ideal for showing changes over time.
Line Graph: Ideal for displaying data points over time, showing trends or changes.
Line Plot: Similar to a line graph but often used for smaller data sets or individual data points.
Stem and Leaf Plot: Used for displaying quantitative data to show its distribution. Not suitable for time series data.
Step 3: Determine the Best Graph Type
Given that the data is a time series and we want to show the change in population over time, a line graph is the most appropriate choice. It effectively displays trends and changes over a period.