Scaled Interval

My Definition

Key Characteristics

The following are true of a scaled interval:

  • It is the common length between gridlines as listed upon each axis.

  • The common length may be values other than one.

  • It allows for accurate graphical representations of data.

  • It depends on the range of the data.

Example

The graph below has a scaled interval of two.

cube graph

Click on this link. Once there, scroll down to choose a data set and click on 1988 US government spending (in billions). What do you notice about the scaled intervals on the axis labeled Billions of Dollars?

Now, change your maximum value on the bar graph to 2000. What happens to the scaled intervals? Why do you think they change?

Non-example

Student's Favorite Color

scaled intervals

TEKS: 3(8)(A), 3(8)(B)