Instructions:Plot Data
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Instructions for Plotting Data on the Graphing Calculator

(To quit and exit this process on the graphing calculator at any time, press the "2nd key followed by the "MODE" key.)

 

First, we will load the data into a table in the graphing calculator:
Press the "STAT" key on the graphing calculator.
Select the "EDIT" function by using the arrow keys to position the cursor on the "EDIT" option and pressing the "ENTER" key.
A screen will be displayed in table format having column headings "L1", "L2", "L3".
To remove ALL existing data in these columns, use the arrow keys to position the cursor ON the column heading, such as "L1". Then press the "CLEAR" key followed by the "ENTER" key. This will remove all existing data in column "L1".
Be certain to remove ALL existing data in columns L1, L2, L3, and L4 if these columns contain any data. Remove the data by repeating the previous step for each column.
Now the data is ready to be entered into the calculator. We are going to enter the heights in the "L1" column: 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60. To key in the first height of "0", position the cursor in the "L1" column BELOW the "L1" column heading. Now press the "0" key followed by the "ENTER" key. This will list "0" as the first entry in the "L1" column. Next press the "1" key followed by the "0" key followed by the "ENTER key. Now the entry of "10" will be listed below the "0" entry in the "L1" column. Continue this process until all heights are entered in the "L1" column in ascending order.
To correct any errors made while keying in a numeric entry simply use the arrow keys to position the cursor ON the number that is incorrect in the column. Then key in the correct number and press the "ENTER" key. The incorrect entry will be replaced by the new entry.
Now the data is ready to be entered in column "L2". Position the cursor in the "L2" column BELOW the "L2" column heading. Remember to key in "0" as your first entry by pressing the "0" key followed by the "ENTER" key. The "0" in column "L1" should be opposite the "0" in column "L2". Now continue to key in the Average Drop Time from your Data Analysis Chart for each different height for the data collected for the lightest weight ball (i.e. the Nerf ball) in the "L2" column.
After entering all of the Average Drop Times for the lightest weight ball in the "L2" column, position the cursor in the "L3" column to record the Average Drop Times for the medium weight ball. Remember, the first entry in column "L3" is "0" which will be opposite the "0" in columns "L1" and "L2". Record the appropriate Average Drop Time for each specific height in column "L3".
After entering all of the Average Drop Times for the medium weight ball in column "L3", position the cursor in the "L4" column and record the Average Drop Times for the heaviest weight ball.
After entering the appropriate Average Drop Time for each specific height in column "L4" for the heaviest weight ball, review the data you have entered in each column by checking it with your data on your Data Analysis Chart. In order to view data in the four columns, move the cursor to the different columns by using the arrow keys on the graphing calculator.
To stop entering data and exit this screen, press the "2nd" key followed by the "MODE" key. (Note that the "MODE" key also stands for "QUIT".)

Next, we will set up the view of the graph for the lightest weight ball:
To set up the view of each graph on the calculator, press the "2nd" key followed by the "Y=" key located in the upper left-hand corner of the calculator. (Note that the "Y=" key also stands for "STATPLOT".) This will display the "STAT PLOTS" screen.
Using the arrow keys, position the cursor on the first selection for "1:Plot 1" and press the "ENTER" key. This will display the "Plot1 Plot2 Plot3" screen and "Plot1" will be highlighted.
Position the cursor on the word "On" and press the "ENTER" key. This will highlight the word "On". (Note that the word "Off" should NOT be highlighted.)
Using the DOWN arrow key, position the cursor on the picture of the graph having the points connected with a line. The graph pictures are listed as "Type:". The graph having the points connected with a line is usually located in the center of the first row of graphs. Press the "ENTER" key to highlight this graph.
Using the DOWN arrow key again, position the cursor ON the entry for "Xlist:". This entry represents the x-axis on your graph which is to be the "height" data that was entered in column "L1" of the data entry table. Press the "2nd" key followed by the "1" key followed by the "ENTER" key. (Note that the "1" key also stands for "L1".)
The cursor should be on the entry for "Ylist:" now. This entry represents the y-axis on your graph which is to be the average drop times for the lightest weight ball data that was entered in column "L2" of the data entry table. Press the "2nd" key followed by the "2" key followed by the "ENTER" key. (Note that the "2" key also stands for "L2".)
The cursor should be on the entry for "Mark:" now. This entry represents the symbol to be plotted on your graph for each specific (height, average drop time) value of your data. Select the mark of your choice by positioning the cursor with the arrow keys on that mark. Now press the "ENTER" key. The mark of your choice should now be highlighted.
To exit this screen, press the "2nd" key followed by the "MODE" key.

Now we will modify the WINDOW settings:

The WINDOW settings are modified to enable us to see the graph correctly. Press the "WINDOW" key to display the "WINDOW" screen.
Using the arrow keys, position the cursor on the entry for "Xmin=". Now press the "(-)" key followed by the "1" key followed by the "0" key. DO NOT PRESS THE "ENTER" KEY. The value "-10" should now appear as the "Xmin=" entry.
Use the arrow keys to position the cursor on the entry for "Xmax=". Now press the "7" key followed by the "0" key. DO NOT PRESS THE "ENTER" KEY. The value "70" should now appear as the "Xmax" entry.
Continue in the same manner using the arrow keys to position the cursor on the following entries. Change the entries to those listed here.

                        Xscl = 10

                        Ymin = -.1

                        Ymax = .8

                        Yscl = .1

                        Xres = 1

Press the "2nd" key followed by the "MODE" key to exit the "WINDOW" screen.

Now we will view the graph:

To view the graph representing the data for the lightest weight ball, press the "GRAPH" key located in the upper right-hand corner of the calculator.
Compare this graph with your graph of the data representing the lightest weight ball. The graph on the calculator and the graph on your paper should be identical. If they are not, check your graph on paper with your data on the Data Analysis Chart. If there is no error, check the data on the calculator by retracing all of the above steps from the beginning. You may want to ask your teacher for assistance.
To exit the graph on the calculator, press the "2nd" key followed by the "MODE" key.

Next, we will set up the view of the graph for the medium weight ball:
To view the graph representing the data for the medium weight ball, you must first set up the view of the graph on the calculator. Press the "2nd" key followed by the "Y=" key. This will display the "STAT PLOTS" screen again.
First, we must turn off Plot1. Using the arrow keys, position the cursor on the first selection for "1:Plot1" and press the "ENTER" key. This will display the "Plot1 Plot2 Plot3" screen again and "Plot1" will be highlighted.
Position the cursor on the word "Off" and press the "ENTER" key. This will highlight the word "Off". This is all that needs to be done on this screen to turn off Plot1. Press the "2nd" key followed by the "MODE" key to exit this screen.
Now press the "2nd" key followed by the "Y=" key to display the "STAT PLOTS" screen again. This time use the arrow keys to position the cursor on the second selection for "2:Plot2" and press the "ENTER" key. This will display the "Plot1 Plot2 Plot3" screen and "Plot2" will be highlighted.
Position the cursor on the word "On" and press the "ENTER" key. This will highlight the word "On".
Using the DOWN arrow key, position the cursor on the picture of the graph having the points connected with a line. The graph pictures are listed as "Type:". Press the "ENTER" key to highlight the appropriate graph.
Using the down arrow key again, position the cursor ON the entry for "Xlist:". This entry represents the x-axis on your graph which is to be the "height" data. Press the "2nd" key followed by the "1" key followed by the "ENTER" key. The "Xlist:" entry should now be "L1".
The cursor should be on the entry for "Ylist:" now. This entry represents the y-axis on your graph which is to be the average drop times for the medium weight ball data that was entered in column "L3" of the data entry table. Press the "2nd" key followed by the "3" key followed by the "ENTER" key. (Note that the "3" key also stands for "L3".)
The cursor should be on the entry for "Mark:" now. Select the mark of your choice, using a different mark than the one you used for the "Plot1" graph. Position the cursor on that mark using the arrow keys. Now press the "ENTER" key to highlight the mark of your choice.
To exit this screen, press the "2nd" key followed by the "MODE" key.
You will NOT need to reset the "WINDOW" values since they are appropriate for all 3 graphs.

Now we will view the graph:

To view the data for the medium weight ball, press the "GRAPH" key.
Compare this graph with your graph of the data representing the medium weight ball. The graph on the calculator and the graph on your paper should be identical. If they are not, check your work again.
To exit the graph on the calculator, press the "2nd" key followed by the "MODE" key.

Next, we will set up the view of the graph for the heaviest weight ball:
To view the graph representing the data for the heaviest weight ball, you must first set up the view of the graph on the calculator again as you have already done for the lighter weight balls. The following instructions will not be as explicit as the previous instructions, but you should be able to follow by this point.
Bring up the "STAT PLOTS" screen again.
First, turn off Plot2.
To exit the "STAT PLOTS" screen, press the "2nd" key followed by the "MODE" key.
Now bring up the "STAT PLOTS" screen again and select the "3:Plot3" entry. This will display the "Plot1 Plot2 Plot3" screen and "Plot3" will be highlighted.
Highlight the "On" choice.
For "Type:" highlight the graph having the points connected with a line again.
The "Xlist:" will still be "L1".
The "Ylist" will be "L4".
Select the choice for "Mark:" that you have not used yet.
Exit this screen by pressing the "2nd" key followed by the "MODE" key.
You will NOT reset the "WINDOW" values.

Now we will view the graph:

To view the data for the heaviest weight ball, press the "GRAPH" key.
Compare this graph with your graph of the data representing the heaviest weight ball. The graph on the calculator and the graph on your paper should be identical. If they are not, check your work again.
To exit the graph on the calculator, press the "2nd" key followed by the "MODE" key.

Now we will look at all 3 sets of data plotted on the same graph at the same time:

Bring up the "STAT PLOTS" screen again by pressing the "2nd" key followed by the "Y=" key.
Position the cursor on the first selection for "1:Plot1" and press the "ENTER" key to display the "Plot1 Plot2 Plot3" screen.
Highlight the word "On" for Plot1.
Bring up the "STAT PLOTS" screen again by pressing the "2nd" key followed by the "Y=" key.
Position the cursor on the second selection for "2:Plot2" and press the "ENTER" key to display the "Plot1 Plot2 Plot3" screen.
Highlight the word "On" for Plot2.
Repeat this process one last time to turn on Plot3.
Now press the "GRAPH" key. This will display all 3 plots on the same graph.
Based on the simultaneous plot of all 3 sets of data, was your first hypothesis correct?

***At this point, you are to have a checkpoint with your teacher to determine if you should continue analysis with your data.***