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Reading Graphics

Graphics provide a lot of information in a very small space. Drivers have to glance at a roundabout diagram and, in seconds, figure out which turn to take. Meteorologists need to read weather maps and see patterns of humidity, temperature, and precipitation. When you read a graphic, you need to come up with the thousand words that the picture is worth.

In this chapter, you’ll learn about symbols, graphs, tables, and diagrams. Each of these graphics communicates information in different ways. And take a moment to appreciate this graphic: a pie graph within an illustration of a student eating a pizza pie!