1Bar graphs are great for "who's bigger"
A bar graph uses the height of each bar to show a value. It's useful when you want to line up several categories side by side and see at a glance which is bigger or smaller.
Bar graphcompares sizes between categories
Line graphshows change over time
2Line graphs are great for "how it's changing"
A line graph connects points with a line, showing the flow of a value rising and falling over time. It's great for data that changes continuously, like daily temperatures.
A bar compares categories by height, and a line connects points to show the flow
3A steep line means a big change
On a line graph, a steep rise or fall means the value changed a lot in that stretch. A flat line, on the other hand, means barely any change.
4The data decides which graph to use
Let the data pick the answer.
For comparing independent categories, like "how many students like each season," a bar graph fits better. For data with a time order, like "temperature by day of the week," a line graph fits better.
For comparing independent categories, like "how many students like each season," a bar graph fits better. For data with a time order, like "temperature by day of the week," a line graph fits better.
5Try playing like this
- Change values with the slider and watch. On the bar graph, raise one category's slider and see how that bar changes.
- Compare both graphs side by side. Switch between the bar-graph tab and the line-graph tab, and notice how the same information looks different.
- Answer the quiz from the graph alone. Without re-counting the numbers, find the biggest or smallest category just by looking at the graph's height.