Charts and Graphs

 

Charts, graphs, and tables make it easier to comprehend a large amount of data and to see how the data relate to each other. Data can be arranged in a table. A graph is used to convert the data table into a visual image that makes the data easier to understand and compare.

 

There are three main types of graphs: Bar graphs, line graphs, and pie charts.

 

Bar Graphs

These graphs are useful in comparing discrete data points. For example, in the example below, it is very easy to see that the highest producing region was the East during the third quarter. The data table is shown below the graph.

 

Line Graphs

A line graph can show the same information as a bar graph, as shown below. But a line graph is also used to show continually-changing data, such as how the average temperature changes over the course of a week, month, or year.

 

Pie Charts

Pie charts are often used to compare the relative amounts of certain kinds of data. The larger the slice of the pie, the greater is the amount of whatever the pie represents. A pie chart always compares the amount of each data point to the whole and is often shown as a percent.