Bar graph: Presenting the given data in the form of horizontal and vertical bars by selecting a particular scale is called bar graph.
- One of the parameters is plotted on horizontal axis and the other on the vertical axis.
- The length of the bar shows the magnitude of the data, while its width is insignificant.
Types of bar graphs: Bar graphs are of five types. They are
1.
Simple bar graphs:
- Bars are arranged in time sequence or the size of the variable.
- The length of each bar depends upon the size of the items.
- In simple bar graphs only one category of data is shown.
2.
Sub - divided bar diagram:
- Different components of a total is represented.
- Bars are sub divided into a number component parts.
First, a bar representing the total is drawn, then it is divided into various segments, each representing a component of the total. Different shades or colours are used to represent different components.
3.
Percentage bar diagram:
- Components are represented on percentage basis and it is like sub divided bar graph.
- All bars will be of same height.
- Used to highlight the relative importance of various components of the whole. Helpful to conclude the relative changes of the data.
4.
Multiple bar graphs:
- Two or more bars are represented, adjoining each other, to represent different components of a related variable.
- Length of each bar represents the magnitude of the data.
- Total bars of one set are continuous, are separated from other set by a gap.
- When the number of related variables is more than one or where changes in the actual values of the component figures are significant.
5.
Deviation Bar graphs:
- This represents net quantities. For example net profit or loss, net of imports and exports, which have both negative and positive values.
- Bars are represented like positive deviations are above the base-line while negative deviations are below the base-line.