Step 1: Number the Y-axis with the dependent variable. Here’s how to do it.Įxample problem: Make a bar graph that represents exotic pet ownership in the United States. If you’re just starting to learn how to make a bar graph, you’ll probably be asked to draw one by hand on graph paper at first. Need help with a homework question? Check out our tutoring page! By Hand It doesn’t matter which type you use-it’s a matter of choice (and perhaps how much room you have on your paper!). Bar Graph Examples (Different Types)Ī bar graph compares different categories. If you have continuous data, like people’s weights or IQ scores, a histogram is best. You could use a bar graph if you want to track change over time as long as the changes are significant (for example, decades or centuries).

It’s also a good choice when you want to compare things between different groups.

Plot discrete data on a bar chart, and plot continuous data on a histogram What’s the difference between discrete and continuous data?).Ī bar chart is used for when you have categories of data: Types of movies, music genres, or dog breeds. see the video? Click here.īack to Top Difference Between a Histogram and a Bar ChartĪlthough they look the same, bar charts and histograms have one important difference: they plot different types of data. Watch the video for an example of how to make a bar chart by hand: For example, if you had two houses and needed budgets for each, you could plot them on the same x-axis with a grouped bar chart, using different colors to represent each house. They can also shows trends over time, or reveal patterns in periodic sequences.īar charts can also represent more complex categories with stacked bar charts or grouped bar charts. For example, it’s easier to see which items are taking the largest chunk of your budget by glancing at the above chart rather than looking at a string of numbers. In the graph below, the values are percentages.Ī bar graph is useful for looking at a set of data and making comparisons.

The horizontal (x) axis represents the categories The vertical (y) axis represents a value for those categories. Although the graphs can be plotted vertically (bars standing up) or horizontally (bars laying flat from left to right), the most usual type of bar graph is vertical. The graph usually compares different categories. A bar chart is a graph with rectangular bars.

How to plot a graph in excel 2008