Year 9 - Maths
Misleading data
Thinking critically with maths
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
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Lesson Summary
You will learn to critically analyse a graph.
Key Notes
- Some graphs are drawn to mislead.
- Some graphs are drawn accurately, but interpreted incorrectly.
- Unfamiliar graphs need to be carefully checked to understand what they show.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Pie chart: A pie chart (pie graph) is a circular graph where sectors represent different groups proportionally.
- Time series graph: Time series graphs show data over a time period. The time period is always shown on the x-axis. Data points are joined chronologically by line segments.
- Scatter graph: A scatter graph is a visual representation for bivariate data. It can be useful when determining the nature of the relationship between the two variables.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think that drawing a graph with a broken axis is incorrect.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
Some graphs are drawn to mislead. Some graphs are drawn accurately, but interpreted incorrectly.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Pie chart'
A pie chart (pie graph) is a circular graph where sectors represent different groups proportionally. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: Pupils may think that drawing a graph with a broken axis is incorrect. Correction: It is fine to do this (and is sometimes necessary) but it is important to acknowledge this when trying to draw conclusions from the graph.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 9 Maths guide library.