HOW TO WORK WITH GRAPHS AND STATISTICS
UNDERSTANDING GRAPHS
Graphs present information in a different way to written analyses and tables of figures. They are often used
in business because they are easy to understand at a glance are more visually interesting. Another
advantage is that they can illustrate trends and patterns clearly and concisely and be presented in colour to
highlight important differences or similarities
A bar chart is very effective for comparing or contrasting results or figures from different sources or
groups e.g. ownership of various consumer goods in Italy and the UK.
A pictogram is essentially the same as a bar chart but uses images or symbols instead of rectangular
bars to show the amounts
A line graph is the best way of showing changes over a period of time, e.g. changes in currency
values the inflation rate, or company profits.
A pie chart is useful when you want to show how a total amount is divided up, e.g. a budget, your
profits imports and exports.
PRESENTING INFORMATION AS A GRAPH
When you want to present statistical information in a graph form, it is important to choose the appropriate
type of graph the information you are presenting.
DESCRIBING TRENDS
When you are talking about trends using graphs and statistics, it is important to be able to describe
different of change and different degrees of change.
Rise (alzarsi)
Increase
Grow
Go up
Shoot up (impennarsi)
Rocket (andare alle stele)
Soar (sollevarsi)
Fall
Decrease
Decline
Drop (cadere)
Go down
Slump (calare)
Collapse
Plummet (precipitare)
Stabilise
Remain the same
Gradual Rapid/sudden
Steadily (stabilmente)
Gradually
Slightly (leggermente)
Slowly
Steeply (vertiginosamente)
Sharply (bruscamente)
Dramatically (drasticamente)
Rapidly
Consistently
