Basic Concepts
In a nutshell: Charts and summaries turn raw data into useful stories.
## Making Sense of Data
Once you have data, it's time to organize and summarize it so everyone can understand what's going on.
### Charts and Graphs
- **Bar charts**: Great for comparing categories.
- **Pie charts**: Show proportions in a whole.
- **Line graphs**: Track changes over time.
- **Histograms**: Show the distribution of numerical data.
### Summaries
- **Mean**: The average value.
- **Median**: The middle value when data is ordered.
- **Mode**: The most common value.
## Why Use Visuals?
Visuals help people spot trends, differences, and patterns quickly. They make information easier to digest and share.
### Everyday Examples
Meteorologists use line graphs to show temperature changes, while businesses use bar charts to compare product sales.
Examples
- Using a pie chart to show how students get to school (bus, car, bike, or walk).
- Calculating the average (mean) score on a math test.