Graphical Analysis III Instructions

1. Open Graphical Analysis III from your Start menu.

2. Double click on the data table where you see the words “Data Set.” Name the data set.

3. Double click on the “X” in the first column. Fill in the “Name” and “Short Name” and “Units.” The name should be the quantity that is being graphed on that axis. The units should be the units that quantity is measured in. The name and units will appear on the graph.

4. Repeat Step #3 for the Y axis.

5. Input your data in the appropriate column. Points will appear on the graph as data is entered.

6. Double click anywhere on the graph.

a. When the “Graph Option” tab is selected you can add a title to your graph. You can also add a legend to your graph if you are graphing more than one set of data.

b. When the “Axes Options” tab is selected you can name your Y axis. You should do this if you are graphing more than one set of data. You can also set the scaling (the numbers) on each axis if you need to. Set the “Scaling” to “Manual” and enter the numbers that you want for that axis. Do both the X and Y axes if needed.

7. You might have noticed that whenever you move your cursor over the graph there are X and Y coordinates displayed in the bottom left hand corner of the graph. Those are the coordinates of the point your cursor is. You can use this to read data points from your graph. You can also go to the “Analyze” menu at the top of the page. Select “Interpolate” and move your cursor along your graph. The coordinates of any point along your graph will be displayed. To get rid of this function go back to “Analyze” and click on “Interpolate” and “Examine.”

8. We’ve had some problems printing from Graphical Analysis III. The best way to print your graph is probably to copy it and paste it into a Microsoft Word document, then print the Word document.

To Extend You Graph Beyond Your Measured Points

1. Go to the “Analyze” menu at the top of the graph.

a. If your graph is liner select “Linear Fit.” A best fits line and a set of statistics will be displayed.

b. If your graph is not linear select “Curve Fit” in the “Analyze” menu. Select one

of the functions displayed and then “Try Fit” until you get the function that best approximated your curve. Click “OK” and this curve and a set of statistics will be displayed on your graph.

To Display and Work With a Second Data Set

1. Go to the “Data” menu and choose “New Data Set.” There will be two new columns displayed on your data table under a heading of “Data Set 2.” You can change this heading as described above.

2. Enter the data for your second data set.

3. You will notice this data is not automatically displayed on your graph. To display the second data set on the graph you will need to do the following.

a. Double click on the Y axis of the graph. The “Y Axis Options” box should appear.

b. There should be a box to the left of “Data Set 2” with a “+” in it. Click in that box. You should now see your two variables displayed.

c. Click in the box next to your dependent variable. A check mark should appear.

d. There is a place to type a label for the Y axis at the top of the “Y Axis Options” box. Type in the name and units for the variable that will be graphed on the Y axis (dependent variable.

e. Click OK to close this box.

4. You now should see both sets of data displayed on your graph.

Printing a Graph and Data Table

There are several options for printing. They include:

1. In the “File” menu choose the “Print” option. This will print the graph and data table on one piece of paper. This will print what you see on your screen. The disadvantage to this option is often some of your data is left off the printed page.

2. To print the graph only, choose the “Print Graph” option in the “File” menu. This will print a larger version of the graph only.

3. To print your data table only, choose the “Print Data Table” option from the “File” menu.

4. For some reasons, some computers will not print graphs. If this happens to you, you can always copy your Data Table or Graph and paste them onto a Microsoft Word document. This is often your best option anyway, especially if you want to include a graph or data table as part of a larger lab report.