Chart
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- "Graph" redirects here. For other uses see Chart (disambiguation) and Graph (disambiguation).
A chart or graph is a type of information graphic that represents tabular numeric data. Charts are often used to make it easier to understand large quantities of data and the relationship between different parts of the data. Charts can usually be read more quickly than the raw data that they come from. They are used in a wide variety of fields, and can be created by hand or by computer using a charting application.
Certain types of charts are more useful for presenting a given data set than others. For example, data that presents percentages of different groups (such as "satisfied, not satisfied, unsure") might be best represented as a pie chart, allowing the viewer to compare the size of each sector slice. On the other hand, data that represents numbers that change over a period of time (such as "satisfaction between 1990 and 2000") might be best shown as a bar chart (or histogram).
Usage note: many information graphics or diagrams include the word "chart" in their name but are covered in those other articles (e.g., flowchart, org chart, smith chart).
Types of charts
Common charts
- A scatterplot uses Cartesian coordinates to show the relation of two or more quantitative variables.
- A histogram typically shows the quantity of points that fall within various numeric ranges (or bins).
- A bar chart uses bars to show frequencies or values.
- A pie chart shows percentage values as a slice of a pie.
- A line chart horozontally depicts non-cumulative data over, say, time.
Less-common charts
- A box plot shows information about the distribution (minimum, maximum, mean average, etc.) along a single axis.
- A Polar area diagram (developed by Florence Nightingale) is an enhanced form of pie chart.
Field-specific charts
Some types of charts have specific uses in a certain field
- Stock market prices are often depicted with a high-low-close type of bar chart with a traditional bar chart of volume at the bottom.
- Interest rates, temperatures, etc., at the close of the period are plotted with a line chart.
- Scatter charts plot readings of two variables simultaneously as dots between the X-axis and the Y-axis, such as for price and earnings.
- Candlestick charts are a type of bar chart used to describe price movements of an equity over time.
- Marketers use a lift chart to highlight performance.
- Project planners use a Gantt chart to show the timing of tasks as they occur over time.
- A phase diagram denotes the equilibrium conditions between thermodynamically-distinct phases.
Well-known (named) charts
Some specific charts have become well known by effectively explaining a phenomenon or idea.
- Gantt chart.
- The Dalitz plot is a scatterplot which represents the relative frequency of manners in which the products of certain three-body decays may move apart.
- The Nolan chart is a libertarian political chart.
- The Pournelle chart is a political chart to categorize state and rational ideologies.
- The Airway (aviation) chart Chart A Type of map used by aviators for flight planning.
Charting software
See List of graphing software
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