Cartographic Skills Lab II - Statistics

Amadeusz Zajac

GiS 3015: Cartographic Skills

Module 2 Lab

Polynomial Trendline

California:

Polynomial Trendline Equation:  y = 12.792x² - 50819x + 5E+07
R² = 0.9975

Florida:

Polynomial Trendline Equation: y = 0.2452x² - 767.37x + 569151
R² = 1

New York:

Polynomial Trendline Equation: y = 2.0052x² - 8003.3x + 8E+06
R² = 0.9978

Texas:

Polynomial Trendline Equation: y = 0.3388x² - 1080.7x + 826194
R² = 1

The polynomial patterns on this graph are great for showing not only the increase of the population in a given US state over time, but also to express the acceleration/deceleration of the change. The number of a given year can therefore be calculated according to the change in the increase, as opposed to according to the average of the few pieces of data we know.

As taken from the Module 2 lab:

California:

Estimated 2050 population using polynomial: 81963

Florida:

Estimated 2050 population using polynomial: 26495.5

New York:

Estimated 2050 population using polynomial: 44201.2

Texas:

Estimated 2050 population using polynomial: 34566

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-I Experienced a lot of difficulty converting some of the polynomial formulas into decipherable numbers but thanks to the classmates on discussion threads I managed to convert them by right-clicking on the formula, and going into “Format Trendline Label” and switching from “general” to “number”. This option would not work until the trendline was deleted and re-done, most likely because putting a label (such as "California") in one of the formula windows fooled the program into thinking the two were related.

Intro to GiS Lab II - Own Your Map

PART II: Lab Questions / Answers

What keyboard shortcut zooms to the full extent of the map?

The "Insert" key.

How can you activate a dataframe?

Right-click on the header and drop down to "Activate". 

What are the various ways to change a map layer's title (in the Legend as well as TOC)?

One way is to go to "File" and to "Map Document Properties" and change the title text box, the second way is to right click the title directly on the map and overwrite with new title.

How much time did it take you to complete this lab?

It took me about 3 hours.

PART III: Process Summary Details

After importing all files to the proper data frames, I selected all colors and boundaries by right-clicking. I spent quite a bit of time getting the hang of properly zooming and centering the layers on the map, as I accidently zoomed in my Esc border file. I finally managed to center it properly, and learned to destinguish between the  two separate zooming options. I selected "Print Preview" in "File" and chose the horizontal option, as it was better suited for my map. Afterwards, I inserted all of the necessery factors, such as a north arrow, a legend, a scale, and my name, date and source. I placed them in suitable areas around the map and saved the work as an mpx, and exported the finished product as a jpeg.

Cartographic Skills Lab I - Map Critique

Good Map



This map is clear in its intent, which is well defined in the title at the top of the page. The legend and scale are well placed, and the north arrow not necessary. All the colors in the legend clearly vary from one another, and are still clearly legible through state and county border lines. The section of the key explaining the "Other" ancestry, provides individual descriptions by a given specific location and adds more detail for the purpose of the map. Aside from the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico are included, each with its own scale to clearly show the ancestry distributions in smaller and more distant parts of the country.

Bad Map

This map of Iraq, despite having a well placed legend and scale seems to have some design flaws which make it difficult to interpret. First and foremost it is difficult to see what the overall purpose of this map is, as the title only states: "Iraq". If the primary intent was to demonstrate the spread of the Suni, Shia and Kurd populations, than the placement of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers seems unnecessary. The slop makes this one an eye sore, as every line and word written on the map has traces of white around it, giving the map a very unprofessional look. Because the legend is not clearly labeled, the words "SAUDI ARABIA" look rather awkward and appear out of place.