The scale is the numbers on the axes. Scale properties lets you control the numbers and the domain and range of your axes. Most of the time, you can just leave this all up to the stat tool.
x Axis / y Axis
The stat tool can automatically scale itself to suit the data you are graphing and you will not normally need to explicitly set scales. If you wish to override the stat tool's automatic scaling you need to:
| • | Uncheck the entry you wish to change. |
| • | Enter your minimum, maximum, major or minor setting manually. |
Minor and Major set the location of the tick marks on the axis. Minor ticks are smaller and have no numbers attached. Major ticks are larger and have a scale number.
You can use multiples of pi and fractions when entering data.
You can also set both the x any y axis to be logarithmic.
Display Styles
The numbers on the scales can have numerous display styles set, along with how many decimal places should be used.
Scales
Free scales have no relationship between the x and y axes. 1 on the x axis might be much smaller than 1 on the y axis. Most statistical graphs have free scales.
Equal Aspect scales force the x and y axes to use the same sizing. For example, 3 on the x axis and 3 on the y axis should be identical size. This is not often needed in statistical graphs but can be useful.
Fixed scales allow you to set exactly how many millimetres should be used per unit on the graph. This permits you to create a scale that is exactly sized as you need it. This option is not commonly used.
Broken Scales
The stat tool will automatically use broken scales if allowed, and the data suits.
You can also FORCE the stat tool to break scales, even if the data really does not suit. Just set the x minimum (or y minimum) to the minimum value before the break.
Even though this example does not really "deserve" a broken scale, the stat tool will break the scale for you at 20.
If you do not allow broken scales, the stat tool will not break the scale regardless of the data or your other settings.
the stat tool has a selection of five different ways of breaking the scale that can be selected from this page.