To analyze the given data effectively, follow these steps:
1. Identify the Variables:
- The first column (Week) represents the time in weeks.
- The second column (Avg. Plant Height (cm)) represents the average plant height in centimeters.
- The third column (Avg. Growth (cm)) represents the average growth in centimeters per week.
2. Determine the Objective:
- We want to display the data in a way that clearly shows the growth trend of the plants over time.
3. Evaluate Each Method:
- Option 1: Place the data in a chart that includes individual measurements before averages were calculated so the information is more complete.
- This option suggests using more detailed data (individual measurements) instead of averages. However, the problem only provides averages, so we cannot pursue this option with the given information.
- Option 2: Transfer the data into a pie chart with five sections, one for each week, that are sized based on plant growth for that week.
- A pie chart is typically used to show proportions or percentages of a whole. In this case, it would not effectively display the growth trend over time.
- Option 3: Use the first column of data for the [tex]$x$[/tex] axis the second column for the [tex]$y$[/tex] axis and plot the data in a line graph to show the growth trend.
- This option suggests plotting Week on the x-axis and Avg. Plant Height on the y-axis. Since we want to observe how the plant height changes over time, this is a very logical and standard approach to visualize growth trends.
- Option 4: Use the first column of data for the [tex]$y$[/tex] axis the second column for the [tex]$x$[/tex] axis and plot the data in a line graph to show the growth trend.
- This option suggests an unusual plot with time on the y-axis and plant height on the x-axis. This is less intuitive and less common for showing growth trends over time.
4. Conclusion:
- The best way to display this data for analysis is by using the first column (Week) for the x-axis and the second column (Avg. Plant Height) for the y-axis, and plotting the data in a line graph. This will clearly show the growth trend of the plants over the weeks.
Thus, the best method to display the data is to use the first column of data for the [tex]\( x \)[/tex] axis (Week) and the second column for the [tex]\( y \)[/tex] axis (Avg. Plant Height) and plot the data in a line graph to show the growth trend. This corresponds to option 3.
