Charts what they are for, characteristics, types, examples

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Philip Kelley
Charts what they are for, characteristics, types, examples

The graphics they are a way of showing information through the use of a drawing, which gives the viewer an easy way to understand what is being exposed. In addition, they are very useful when you have to publish statistics, compare quantities and express trends, since the data they present is usually numerical.

They are commonly used to represent functional relationships between numerical variables or when you have a significant amount of statistical data. For this reason, they can be found both in school work, as well as in business presentations and financial reports, among others..

Graph example

There are different types of graphs, each with particular characteristics, which help to represent the data with greater fidelity. However, if they are not correctly reflected or mistakes are made when entering the data, they can impair the understanding of the information..

In most cases, the most commonly used charts are made up of two axes and a body, as in line charts, pictograms, and bar charts. However, other types of graphs can also be found, such as flow charts, or cartograms, in which other methods of construction and presentation of information are used..

In general, to represent the graphs resources such as lines, points, vectors, bars, maps and symbols are used. Additionally, the representations can be built in two or three dimensions, which extends the palette of resources much more for the elaboration of the same..

Article index

  • 1 What is a graph for?
  • 2 Characteristics of the graphs
  • 3 Types of graphs
    • 3.1 Bars
    • 3.2 Histogram
    • 3.3 Circular
    • 3.4 Line chart
    • 3.5 Scatter plot
    • 3.6 Area chart
    • 3.7 Cartogram
    • 3.8 Pictogram
    • 3.9 Mosaic chart
    • 3.10 Population pyramid
    • 3.11 Cobweb or radial chart
    • 3.12 Stock chart
    • 3.13 Flow chart
    • 3.14 Gantt chart
    • 3.15 Control chart
    • 3.16 Waterfall graph
    • 3.17 hierarchy diagram
    • 3.18 Binary Decision Diagram
    • 3.19 Timeline
    • 3.20 Solar Ray Chart
    • 3.21 Pareto Tables
    • 3.22 3D graphic
  • 4 Examples of graphs
    • 4.1 Bar graph
    • 4.2 Flow chart
    • 4.3 Cartogram
    • 4.4 Cobweb or radial chart
  • 5 Topics of interest
  • 6 References

What is a graph for?

Example of a graph on the size of the continents

The graphs serve to visually present data on the behavior of one or more variables, of which there is a large amount of numerical information collected, in relation to a time frame or other data.

The ease with which the data represented in a graph is interpreted, with respect to a numerical table, makes it very useful for many sectors, ranging from student to business. This is largely due to the possibility they offer to access large blocks of information quickly, through a visual representation..

Likewise, graphs are necessary when displaying the collected data and contrasting them with each other in a quantitative investigation. This allows the researcher to draw conclusions from the observation of the graphs and present the results of his research project.

They are not only used to represent data, but also help to visualize trends and patterns of behavior, which benefits the understanding of some circumstances with greater clarity.

You can choose between different techniques and formats for displaying the data. The selection of the type of graph will depend on the results that you want to show through the graphical representation..

For example, if you need to check the price change of a product over a period of time, you can use a line graph. Or in the case of wanting to represent the percentages obtained by each party in an election, you can use a pie chart.

Characteristics of the graphs

These are some characteristics of the graphs:

  • They manage to capture the reader's attention easily, because they present a large amount of numerical information in a format that is easy for any reader to interpret..
  • They generally consist of at least one graphic and one text. The graph represents the variables, and the text the scale of values ​​or data, as well as describes the reason why the graph was created..
  • Most graphs are built on two axes, a horizontal one called X, and a vertical one called Y, on which a gradually divided scale of values ​​is arranged. This type of format makes it possible to establish a contrast between the two analysis variables, placing one on each axis.
  • In some cases, lines can be added between the axes to make the graph easier to see..
  • The name of the measured variable is indicated in each of the axes. This is done to clarify the information presented..
  • They facilitate the comparison of data, they are also useful when indicating trends and statistical differences.

Chart types

The most commonly used types of graphs are:

Bars

Carrilano / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Its reading and understanding is simple, since they only consist of two axes, one vertical or Y axis, and the other horizontal or X axis. The items to be compared are located on one of the axes, and the items to be compared are displayed on the other. values ​​of each.

Histogram

They are a derivation of bar graphs, the difference they have is that in this type of graph you only see the alteration of a variable with respect to the data being analyzed..

They have the peculiarity that there is no separation between the bars.

Circular

Pie charts, also called pie charts, represent the percentages of a total. They are made by dividing a circumference into portions, where the size of each portion is proportionally related to the percentage that you want to show.

As it is a circumference, the sum of the areas of all the portions must be equal to 360 degrees.

Line graph

Like bar charts, these are built on two axes. Normally, the X axis corresponds to a measure of time, and the Y axis to the changes of the other variable.

They are made by marking points at the heights corresponding to the intersection of the two analysis variables. These points are joined by a line, which makes it easier for the observer to read them..

This type of graph allows you to present data on multiple measurements of the same variable on the Y axis. This is achieved by using different colors to differentiate the lines..

Scatter plot

Itangalo / CC0

In the scatter charts, the representation of the measured variables is made by using two axes, one vertical and the other horizontal, which have different scales. Each observation is represented on the graph with a point, marking the relationship that exists between the two referenced variables for the same phenomenon.

It is convenient to use them when you have a large number of observations.

Area chart

Phoenix7777 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Area charts are used to see the behavior of two or more variables in a period of time.

For its preparation two axes are used, one vertical and the other horizontal. Time measurements are arranged on the horizontal axis, and the values ​​of each variable are located on the vertical axis..

In the first place, the one with the highest value is put and the points are joined by lines or curves, then the other variables are added, from highest to lowest. For a better visualization the resulting areas between the curves are painted with different colors.

Cartogram

Cartogram representing the distribution of the population of the European Union. Geoilex / Public domain

Cartograms are used when data derived from a study have to be represented, on a particular region.

They are expressed in the form of a map, but with the particularity that the size of each region does not have to do with its physical measurements, but rather depends on the value of the variable to be represented. It is for this reason that they can be confusing when trying to interpret them..

They can be used to describe the number of inhabitants per city, the income per capita per individual, among others..

Pictogram

Pictogram example

In the pictograms the representation of the data is done through symbols or images, which symbolize the variable that is being exposed.

The ease of interpreting an image, with respect to numerical data, makes it more attractive to the general public.

Mosaic chart

They are used when multiple variables and categories need to be compared in the same graph.

Population pyramid

Population pyramid of the Balearic Islands of 2011. Janllam / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

These graphs are used to represent data, such as the age and gender of a population..

They are built dividing the horizontal axis in half, to separate by gender, and the ages or ranges of the same are located on the vertical axis..

Cobweb or radial graphic

They are built using radial axes referenced to the same origin, which have a scale with fixed values ​​for all variables. They can be of three or more variables, which generates a regular polygon.

For the construction of the graph, the values ​​of the variables are located on the axes and the points are joined by straight lines, producing an irregular polygon shape..

Stock chart

A stock chart of an online broker

They are the most used to represent financial data, on the horizontal axis time is expressed, generally days, months or years, and on the vertical axis values ​​or percentages.

With the passage of time and the variations of the values, a line is represented in which you can easily see the ups and downs of the market.

Flowchart

Example of a vertical flow chart, in this case to calculate the factorial of a number

In general terms, they are used in the representation of production processes, in turn, they are made up of logical connectors, which introduce modifications in the flow of the road. These logical connectors are assigned different options, which depend on the process that is being carried out.

Gantt diagram

This graphic allows the optimization of jobs that have to be carried out simultaneously for the completion of a project.

It consists of a horizontal axis, where the measurement of time is located, and another vertical, in which the processes are described..

Control chart

Victor MM / CC0

Control charts are useful when you need to check whether a variable exceeds pre-established limits.

On a horizontal axis the measure of time is expressed, and on another vertical two continuous lines are drawn, whose heights will be the maximum and minimum value that the variable can have. Between these lines the movements of the variable in time are represented.

Waterfall chart

It is used mainly for finance, since the transformation of an initial value is easily reflected, to which positive and negative values ​​are added..

Hierarchy diagram

Similar to flowcharts, hierarchy diagrams are used to explain an organization's chain of command, from the lowest to the leader..

Binary decision diagram

Two Option Binary Decision Diagram. The original uploader was IMeowbot at English Wikipedia. / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

They are like flowcharts, the difference lies in the fact that the logical connectors only have two possibilities.

Timeline

As its name says, it is basically a timeline, in which milestones are marked on the dates when they occurred..

Solar Ray Chart

They are constructed in a similar way to pie charts, the difference lies in the fact that it contains concentric rings, which are descending in hierarchy from the center outwards..

Pareto Tables

They are the combination of the bar graph and the linear one, the bars are placed from highest to lowest.

3D graphic

The three-dimensional graphs present in their construction an additional axis, generally called Z, to the traditional X and Y. The Z axis not only generates the sensation of depth in the graph, but also allows another variable to be introduced to the graph.

Graph examples

Here are some examples of the different types of graphs:

Bar graph

Source: Carwil / CC0

This example describes the admission of refugees by the United States from 1975 to 2019.

On the X axis (horizontal) are the dates, separated by year, and on the Y axis (vertical) there is the variable of number of people.

Each bar means the number of refugees that entered the United States per year..

Flowchart

In this flowchart it can be seen that when the variable X reaches the diamond-shaped logical connector it has two options, if the value of X is 1, it goes directly to the end of the process.

On the other hand, if the value of X is not equal to 1, it goes through a process that subtracts 1 from the value of X, and is compared again until that value is equal to 1.

Cartogram

Source: © Copyright Benjamin D. Hennig (Worldmapper Project) cc by / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

This cartogram is a representation of the world population in 2002. The almost unrecognizable shape of the world map is due to the fact that in the cartograms the sizes of the countries do not correspond to their physical measurements, but to the number of inhabitants they have..

Cobweb or radial graphic

In this graph you can see the difference between the designated budget (blue color), and the actual expense (orange color) of the different departments of a company. By using this graph, it is possible to clearly detect which departments are exceeding their expenses and which are not..

Themes of interest

Graphic organizer.

References

  1. Abad Altamirano, P., & Huapaya Espinoza, E. (2009). Guide for the presentation of statistical graphs. Retrieved from inei.gob.pe
  2. Britannica, T. E. (2019). Retrieved from britannica.com
  3. Coles, S., & Rowley, J. (1997). Creating effective graphs and charts. Retrieved from researchgate.net
  4. Mexico, U. N. (2020). Retrieved from asesorias.cuautitlan2.unam.mx/
  5. University, J. C. (2020). Basic Statistics - Representing Data - Graphing. Retrieved from jcu.edu.au

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