Question

The graph shows a student’s data from an investigation about plant growth in five plants of the same type.

Week
Avg. Plant Height (cm)
Avg. Growth (cm)
0
2
NA
1
3
1
2
6
3
3
9
3
4
14
5

Which is the best way to display this data for analysis?
Place the data in a chart that includes individual measurements before averages were calculated so the information is more complete.
Transfer the data into a pie chart with five sections, one for each week, that are sized based on plant growth for that week.
Use the first column of data for the x axis the second column for the y axis and plot the data in a line graph to show the growth trend.
Use the first column of data for the y axis the second column for the x axis and plot the data in a line graph to show the growth trend.

Answer 1

Use the first column of data for the x axis, the second column for the y axis, and plot the data in a line graph to show the growth trend.

Reason: Week is the independent/time variable and average plant height is the dependent variable, so a line graph of week (x) vs. height (y) best shows the growth trend. The pie chart is inappropriate for time-series data, and swapping axes would be incorrect. (Including individual measurements would be ideal if available, but given the provided summary data the line graph is best.)