Component Bar Chart
- Visualizes composition of a whole by showing components and their relative sizes.
- Uses multiple bars (typically arranged horizontally) whose lengths are proportional to component values.
- Common forms include pie charts and stacked bar charts; frequently used in business, finance, and social sciences.
Definition
Section titled “Definition”A component bar chart is a type of chart used to visually represent the composition of a whole. It is made up of multiple bars, each representing a different component or part of the whole; the length of each bar represents the relative size or value of the component it represents.
Explanation
Section titled “Explanation”Component bar charts display how a total is divided among components. The bars are typically arranged horizontally, and each bar’s length is proportional to the value of the corresponding component. By comparing bar lengths or segments within a bar, viewers can assess the relative sizes or values of components that make up the whole.
Examples
Section titled “Examples”Pie chart
Section titled “Pie chart”A pie chart represents the distribution of a dataset among different categories or groups. The whole circle represents the total value of the dataset, and each slice represents a different category or group. The size of each slice is proportional to the value of the category it represents, allowing for easy comparison between the different groups.
Stacked bar chart
Section titled “Stacked bar chart”A stacked bar chart represents the composition of multiple variables within a single dataset. The whole bar represents the total value of the dataset, and each segment of the bar represents a different variable. The size of each segment is proportional to the value of the variable it represents, allowing for easy comparison between the different variables.
Use cases
Section titled “Use cases”- Business and finance: represent the distribution of profits among different product lines or the allocation of resources among different departments.
- Social sciences: represent the distribution of a population among different age groups or the distribution of income among different income brackets.
Related terms
Section titled “Related terms”- Pie chart
- Stacked bar chart