A bar graph, also known as a bar chart is a simple tool, used for data handling. It is a specific way to represent the given set with the help of rectangular bars having heights equal to the measure of the given values. In real life, a bar graph is commonly used to pictorially represent business data. In this article, we’ve discussed the basic concepts of a bar graph.
What is meant by Bar Graph?
The bar graph represents the given set of data pictorially with the help of rectangular bars either horizontal ones or vertical ones having a height equal to the measure of the given values. The bar graph is also known as a bar chart where the bars are drawn of uniform width. A bar graph is plotted across two axes- the x-axis and the y-axis. In the bar graph the variable quantity is represented on one axis, say y-axis and the value of the variable is shown on the other axis, say x-axis. There are usually two types of a bar graph:
- Horizontal bar graph
- Vertical bar graph
Apart from this bar graphs are subdivided into two more parts:
- Grouped bar graph
- Stacked bar graph
What are the properties of a Bar graph?
- The rectangular bars can be plotted vertically or horizontally.
- The bar graph is plotted across two axes, namely the x-axis, and the y-axis.
- The bars whether horizontal or vertical should be plotted on either axis (x-axis or y-axis) providing a common base.
- All the rectangular bars plotted horizontally or vertically on either axis should be evenly spaced and the width of the bars should also be equal.
- The length of the rectangular horizontal or vertical bars is always equal to the values they represent.
How to draw a bar graph?
To learn how to construct a bar graph, let’s consider an example. Suppose there are three different types of fruits, such as apples, mangoes, and oranges, and the corresponding weights are 5kg, 10 kg, and 15 kg respectively.
Step 1: The first step is to determine the title of the bar graph.
Step 2: Now draw both the axis- horizontal axis (y-axis) and vertical axis (x-axis).
Step 3: It is the time to label the horizontal axis (y-axis). For example, types of fruits.
Step 4: Mention the names of fruits on the horizontal axis (y-axis) such as apples, mangoes, and oranges.
Step 5: This step is all about labeling the vertical axis (x-axis). For example, the weight of the fruits in kg.
Step 6: Now is the time to determine the scale of range for the values given in the data set. The given values are 5, 10, and 15. So, you can finalize the scale of range as 5cm.
Step 7: You have to now draw the horizontal rectangular bars on the x-axis with the height of the bars equal to the measure of the given values of the weight of the fruits.
Step 8: This is the final step that is to be undertaken to complete the construction of the bar graph. Now that the bar graph is constructed, you can observe the length of each rectangular bar and find out the fruits having maximum and minimum weight, respectively.
Bottom Line:
If you want to learn about the concepts of a bar graph and histogram in the comfortable environment of your home then you can attend the online Math program classes provided by Cuemath. It is an online platform, intending to educate children about the basic concepts of math and reasoning.
