Types of Bar Graphs for Competitive Exams

Definition of bar graph 

A bar graph consists of rectangular, vertical or horizontal lines with an x-axis and y-axis, which helps represent the categorical data in tabular form. It is a method of portraying data with rectangular bars in which the length of the bar corresponds to the value it shows. The graphs are a graphical representation of information using bars having different heights. 

What is a Bar Graph?

The bar graph is a pictorial representation of information used for data handling. The information is independent of one another and does not require any specific order represented. The bars provide visual information to compare the quantities in various categories. These bars consist of two lines, i.e., the vertical axis and the horizontal axis. The horizontal axis is also called the x-axis, and the vertical axis is also called the y-axis with the labels, scale range, and title. 

Line graphs, bar graphs, pie charts, scatter plots, and histograms are examples of bar graphs used in statistical analysis to portray information on the bars. The histogram is used in statistical analysis, representing the probability distribution in some data samples. The graphical representation of the histogram arranges a group of data points into specific user ranges. Data shown through it is drawn along the x-axis. The y-axis of the histogram shows the percentage of occurrence for each column of the data to visualise the data distributions. 

Properties of Bar Graph

•  Height of the rectangular bar should have equal space and equal width between them. 
•  The rectangular bars should be on a common base. 
• Height of the rectangular bar is equal to the information it shows. 
• The rectangular bars can be drawn vertically or horizontally. 

Types of Bar Graph 

Various types of bar graphs include the vertical, horizontal, stacked, and grouped bar graphs. 

Vertical Graph 

In a vertical graph, the data is represented vertically in a chart with the help of rectangular bars, showing data measurement. The rectangular bar of the graph is drawn vertically on the x-axis and y-axis, which is responsible for representing the value of the rectangular bar’s height. The rectangular bar shows the quantity of the variables on the x-axis. 

Horizontal Bar Graphs

The horizontal is another type of bar graph. The definition for this type is given when the data is shown horizontally using rectangular bars, displaying the measure of the data. In the horizontal bar graph, the categories or the variables of data have to be written across the page. After that, rectangular bars are drawn horizontally on the y-axis. Meanwhile, the x-axis of the horizontal bar graph represents the length of the bars that is equivalent to the value of various variables in the data. 

Stacked Bar Graph

It is the third type of bar graph. The definition of a bar graph for the stacked type of bar graph is given when each part of the bar is shown using multiple colours. It is also known as a composite bar graph that divides the bar into various sections. As the data is shown in different colours, it is easy to determine the different categories. The stacked bar graph requires specific labelling, signifying different bar sections. In this type of bar graph, each rectangular bar depicts each segment in the rectangular bar representing various parts of the whole that can be represented horizontally or vertically. 

Grouped Bar Graph

The grouped bar chart or bar graph is also known as a clustered bar graph. It helps show the discrete value for two or more categorical data. In this type, the rectangular bars are assembled by levels of one categorical variable position showing the secondary category level having the same colours. The data for the grouped bar graph can be shown in both ways, i.e., horizontally and vertically. 

Conclusion 

The Bar graphs are the graphical representation of data shown vertically or horizontally along the x-axis and y-axis. The definition of a bar graph is generally the first thing asked in competitive exams in graph-based questions. These are very helpful in comparing the data over some time. One who draws the graph must ensure equal spacing between the bars, especially when maintaining a significant frequency of data.