The graphs and charts we use in our daily work can be a way to visualize complex data, like when comparing different products. They’re an appropriate form of representation for this type of information because they allow us the detail but still make it concise enough that you don’t get overwhelmed with all your findings!
The data analyst’s life is difficult without the right data visualization tools. Visualizing large volumes of information can be a daunting task, but it becomes much easier when you have something that will make your job easy and less time-consuming like graphs!
There are many graphical charts used in everyday life, however, bar chart vs line chart is widely discussed and used in graph areas. Let’s explore what they are and how they are used in mathematical and commercial activities. It will be great fun for you to learn more exciting information about the graph charts.
To make this chart article arguably graspable, we will proceed in a stepwise approach to discuss individual chart types. So, we unfold the line chart first to make sense of the fundamental graph chart complexity. At the end of this article, we will also highlight how line and bar graphs are used in real-life practices.
What is a line chart?
As in the earlier paragraph we have mentioned, line charts are frequently used in the practices of graph charts. So, let’s first learn what a line chart is?
A line graph or otherwise said line chart, a line chart, is classified as a chart that represents with its graphical visualization the floating value of something over the periods of the prescribed time. For instance, a finance department in a company may sketch the periodic growing and diminishing value of something in the amount of cash that business has on the reserve over time.
How Many Portions Line Chart is Presented?
The line graph possesses two parts in a 2-dimensional presentation fashion. These dimensions are a horizontal x-axis and a vertical y-axis.
Whereas the Y-axis is drawn from up to down. Y keeps its position on the vertical line and is denoted as the mere letter ‘Y’ while the Y-axis stands down in the vertical line with denotation as “Y`”. Y-axis goes with Sin(theta) in terms of trigonometric ratios.
On the other hand, the Horizontal area in the line chart is the X and X-axis. The X-axis is drawn from left to right in the line. X holds the Cos(theta) in context with trigonometric ratios.
When to Use a Line Graph?
This is a common question that most new data readers ask. Whereas the question When to Use a Line Graph is concerned, it depends on the condition you undergo in perspective of data visualization. Line graphs are ideal for data comparison with two or more data races. Somehow, it is best used when data relates to time and value.
Line graphs, also commonly known as line charts are best to go when you want to depict data comparison with gradual changes of value of something in due course of the time. It is also the case to use line charts to compare how multiple data aspects change over time relative to each other. Whenever you catch up with a key phrase “over time,” or “gradually” that’s the best clue to consider adopting a line graph for the data comparison.
Types of Line Chart
Although the line chart is quite simple to comprehend, nevertheless, the line graph is further categorized into some understandable categories. There are 3 common but main types of line charts in the statistics field: the first one is a simple line graph, the second one is a multiple line graph, and the third one is a compound line graph. Each of the line chart types spurs different uses and benefits depending on the class of data that is being assessed in the data comparison.
- Simple Line Graph
A simple line graph means to be a type of line graph that is sketched with only a single line. Like in the X and Y fashion, it represents the comparative relation between two variables.
In most scenarios, one of the two variables is free to compare with another, while the other variable is a dependent variable. The independent variable usually goes with time-lapse. Nonetheless, it can also be any other facet.
- A Multiple Line Graph
As its name suggests, a multiple line graph is a type of line chart that you can plot with two or more lines for various factors(variables). Data analysts mostly use it to depict two or more variables that fluctuate over the same passage of time.
- A Compound Line Graph
This kind of line chart is used when a set of information or data is to be further divided into different portions or categories. It is an offshoot of the simple line graph along with an amalgam of multiple line charts. It shows the overall data proportionality and the different layers that pile up the data with changes and intervals of different factors.
Over here we sum up the discussion of the Line Chart.
Now ahead here we go to unfold the scroll of the bar chart. Let’s go to explore the depth of the bar graph. The bar graph is the second most widely used graph in statistical practices.
What is a Bar Chart?
A bar graph also commonly known as a bar chart or bar diagram is a graphical depiction that behaves with the bars to compare data among various categories. A bar graph may be depicted horizontally or vertically. The crucial factor to notice and know is that the longer the bar is, the greater its value will be.
When to Use a Bar Graph?
The bar graph is equally popular as the line graph. It is the second runner popular graph following its competitor—line chart, yet it has its own efficacy and uses. So, when it comes to questioning when to use a bar graph the answer lies in its versatility of uses. Let’s dive into the fact that it is best to use the bar graph.
Bar graph comes to favorability when you encounter comparative data that you would want to depict through a graphical chart then a bar chart could be one of the best options. This class of graphical charts is one of the more applied options as it is easy to comprehend. The bar charts are very useful for representing data that is categorized into nominal or ordinal sub-categories.
What are Types of Bar Graph?
Bar graphs are majorly divided into six categories that are used to compare various under assessment classes of data on a certain aspect(s). Based on the structural presentation of the bars and the number of data sets, the bar graph comes with the following six kinds.
- Horizontal Bar graph
- Vertical Bar graph
- Double Bar graph or Grouped bar graph.
- Multiple Bar graph Grouped bar graph.
- Stacked Bar graph
- Bar-line Graph
Let us now discuss each of them in concise detail.
Horizontal Bar Graph
In this bar graph type, the Y-axis poses the observatory variable to be compared, while the x-axis depicts the value of the data. Following the bars show horizontally alongside the x-axis up to the focal level of value proportional to the analysis. So, this bar graph is called a horizontal bar graph/chart.
Vertical Bar graph
The vertical bar graph is the vice versa of the horizontal bar graph. In this type of bar chart, the observing data set becomes the opposite as in the above-mentioned Horizontal bar graph type.
These are the two main categories of bar charts. Rest four categories are variable dependent. You can use multiple lines and bars to construct and define a double graph, multiple bar graph, and stacked bar graph. The line bar graph is plotted with the combination of line and bar on the chart using various data with a comparison of time intervals.
Key Differences Between bar chart vs line chart
The crucial notice between line and bar graphs is their orientation and presentation along with their respective applications on data comparison.
When we discuss bar graphs, we mean that the bar graph hails from a smooth line plotted, joining points matched from the Y-axis and X-axis depicting the magnitude of value and time comparatively.
It can either be a continuous line of resonating one.
On the contrary, when we talk about the bar graph, we show that the Vertical or horizontal perpetuated rectangular columns are plotted to represent data. They can be of uniform width and are equidistant from each data observation. The length of the bar denotes proportional to the value or magnitude it depicts.
Whereas bar graph represents a graphical comparison among the data categories. A bar chart is used to represent and compare portions of a whole dataset. A bar graph that is used to depict data in time or magnitude intervals is known as a histogram.
How are line and bar graphs similar?
To address this question, we need to summarise in this article that the Bar graph runs to be more for discrete and sequential data with categorical variables (whereas x-axis is not continuous otherwise, say other than variable). For example, I could represent sales by quarter with data to be compared in two facet mechanisms.
While on the other hand, a line chart is used for sequential but occurring data. The data can be time or temperature. For example, download time is a function of time while data downloaded is variable that is directly proportional to the function time.
Another point in terms of differential comparison is that a line graph is adopted to show data that fluctuates continuously over intervals of time. A line graph that is seamless with an undisturbed line is called a linear graph. For comparing and observing a point on the chart sheet you must have the x-coordinate and y-coordinate of the observatory point.
Line and Bar Graphs in Real-Life Scenarios
In a real-life scenario, you might have noticed a fashion that is simply known as DIRECTLY PROPORTION that if you use more chunk of a buyable thing, you would have to pay more for it. If more internet data is consumed, the bill would jump to be high. If you use fewer internet data, then the bill will gradually be less. This example is an example of a real-life scene where one quantitative value affects the other one. The consumption of internet used bills depends on the quantity of data you use in browsing or downloading. We can sum up that here, the quantity of internet data is an independent variable (or sometimes manageable variable) and the charges of data bill is a dependent variable. This relation between bill and data usage can be represented on a graph (line or bar) that represents the relation between the discussed variables.
Conclusion:
To sum up, the difference between line chart and bar chart is that both are peculiar in terms of their respective applications. The graphical presentation of data on a chart is much more graspable to differentiate than integers. A graphical chart shows the relativity between a dependent variable(continuous) and an unchangeable variable.