Q&A for How to Make Bar Graphs

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Can I use a jagged line in bar graphs?

Community Answer

No, that would be a different type of graph. I think you might be thinking of a trend graph.

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Question

Is it necessary that the distances of the bars are equal?

Community Answer

No. They are most likely going to be different, since the two values represented aren't usually equal.

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Question

How do I make a bar graph showing the maximum and minimum temperatures of June?

Community Answer

Label the x-axis with every day of June and the y-axis with the temperatures in degrees, then draw your bars.

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Question

How do I represent large values on a bar graph? For example, we have to represent the values 8848, 8611,8598, 8501, and 8481.

Community Answer

You should probably use a break in your graph. This is done by putting a lightning bolt shape at the point of the break. (Simply search "broken graph" for more information about how/when to use them.)

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Question

How do I gap a bar graph?

Community Answer

You should gap a bar graph equally, such as every 2 squares along. Remember, a bar graph without any gaps isn't a bar graph - it's a histogram.

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Question

How do I make a bar graph when it deals with how long (in days) it will take for something to happen? Would I make the y-axis the days and the x-axis the different things that needed to react?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes, that sounds like a workable plan.

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Question

Is it necessary to include a title for the bar graph?

Community Answer

Yes. Otherwise, nobody will know what your graph is supposed to be showing.

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Question

How is the bar graph different from the histogram?

Community Answer

A bar graph has bars with gaps between them. A histogram has bars that are close together with no gaps.

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Question

What is the use of the bar graph?

Community Answer

The use of a bar graph is to represent data in a visually pleasing way. It is most commonly used when X value (along the bottom) is wordy and Y value (up and down) is numerical.

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Question

How do you make a picture using a graph?

Community Answer

Plot all of the points, then join them all together.

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Question

How could I put units if there is something with decimals?

Donagan

Top Answerer

To accommodate decimal numbers, you would have to divide each whole-number length into smaller segments (such as tenths or hundredths). Depending on the scale of your graph, you might have to estimate where to place a small decimal number.

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Question

The time between 10 BC and 10 AD is nineteen years, not twenty (there is no year zero). How can I make a bar graph that leaves the year zero out?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Let year 1 BC be immediately adjacent to year 1 AD. There's no reason to show a year "zero." (By the way, from the beginning of year 10 BC to the end of year 10 AD was a time period of 20 years, not 19. If there had been a year called "zero," that would have made a time period of 21 years.)

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Question

I have decimals as my values. How do I draw a bar chart with these?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Choose a larger scale for your drawing that allows you to show small numbers clearly.

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Question

How can I construct a bar graph?

Tina X

Community Answer

You can construct a bar graph on grid paper or Google Sheets (Excel works too). Know your variables and data, and start inserting it in the appropriate areas of the graph.

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Question

Is it necessary to colour the inside of the bar?

Tina X

Community Answer

No, although some worksheets require you to do so. It depends on your teacher/instructor.

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Question

Do we have to maintain equal distance between the bars. If yes, then why?

Donagan

Top Answerer

It's not mandatory, but it is customary. It's really a matter of appearance: the orderliness of the display helps to show trends (similar to a line graph).

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Question

Can I use a bar graph to project growth in business?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes. The horizontal axis could represent time increments, and the vertical component could show projected revenue or some other business metric.

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