Use the data in the following table to compare the number of people living in the United States from 1810 through 1900 and the number living in the United States from 1910 through 2000. Use any form of graphical representation to make the comparison and explain why you chose the representation that you did.

Question

Use the data in the following table to compare the number of people living in the United States from 1810 through 1900 and the number living in the United States from 1910 through 2000. Use any form of graphical representation to make the comparison and explain why you chose the representation that you did. 
Number Year (thousands) 
1810 7,239 
1820 9,638 
1830 12,866 
1840 17,068 
1850 23,191 
1860 31,443 
1870 38,558 
1880 50,189 
1890 62,979 
1900 76,212 
1910 92,228 
1920 106,021 
1930 123,202 
1940 132,164 
1950 151,325 
1960 179,323 
1970 203,302 
1980 226,542 
1990 248,765 
2000 281,422

drwls · Answer

I would recommend choosing a semilogartihmic graph. The y axis would be proportional to the log of the population, which should cover a 1000 to 100,000 range (thousands). The x axis should be the year and linearly cover 1800 to 2000. The reasons for this choice will be obvious when you make the plot: an approximately constant growth rate is expected, with a fairly straight line.

crystal · Answer

Thank you for your help. I didn't know what semilogartihmic was but I googled it and I think I understand. I'm not good with making graphs and stuff on the computer so I guess I will try to write it down and then scan it.