Bar Graphs: Types, Properties, Uses & Solved Examples

Representing a set of data with graphs makes it easy to understand. It becomes one more step easy if represented through Bar Graphs. It is a graphic method of presenting grouped or ungrouped data with the help of bars (vertical or horizontal). As per the variations in data, the height or length of the bar varies. 

Key Takeaways: Different Types of Bar Graph, how a Bar Graph is different from a histogram, procedure of making a Bar Graph, Uses of Bar Graph in real life. 

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Categories of Bar Graph

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There are various categories of Bar Graphs, the sections below will discuss them in detail.

Horizontal Bar Graph

Here the x-axis represents the recorded data and the y-axis represents the different types of data. The length of each bar corresponds to its data in the tabular form. The bars originate from the y-axis and move parallel to the x-axis.

Horizontal Bar Graph

Vertical Bar Graph

In this bar graph, the y-axis represents the exact value of the recorded data and the x-axis shows the different types of data. Height becomes the primary parameter that corresponds to the data in the tables. Bars originate from the x-axis and move parallel to the y-axis. 

Vertical Bar Graph

Grouped Bar Graph 

In the Grouped Bar Graph more than one set of data is represented in one graph. For better identification, each set is given a different colour or symbol. Here, unlike each bar, a value represents an entire set. For example, if sales of three types of shirts in each month are represented in a bar graph. Then each bar would represent sales of each type of shirt in a particular month. 

Grouped Bar Graph 

Stacked Bar Graph

Like grouped bar graphs in stacked bar graphs, more than one set of data are represented in one graph. Comparing the same earlier example of sales of the shirt in each month, sales of all shirts in a month will be represented in a single bar. 

Stacked Bar Graph

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Properties

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There may be different types of bar graphs, but few characteristics remain the same that are necessary for a Bar Graph. Some of them are:

• The space between bars must be equal, in the case of grouped bar graph space between two groups must be equal.
• The breadth of each bar must be equal. 
• All the bars must be constituted of an equal base. 

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Where is the Bar Graph used?

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Bar Graph is the best method for comparing statistics with large numerical values. Instead of wasting time searching required data in tables, a bar graph provides a visual representation of the data. Runs made by a cricketer in the last five years, sales of companies and such quantitative data analysis become easier with Bar Graphs. 

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Distinguish between Bar Graph and Histogram

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Similarities between Bar Graph and Histogram is only that rectangular shape. Rest all features and the area of use is different. 

Distinguish between Bar Graph and Histogram

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How to draw a Bar Graph?

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Suppose we want to draw a bar graph for the data of the number of apples, mangoes, oranges and peaches grown in a year. Suppose the corresponding values are 10, 15,30 and 5. Now follow the steps below:

• Put the different types of fruits i.e., Apples, Mangoes, Oranges and Peach in the horizontal axis (x-axis). 
• Create a scale out of given values, such as 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and put it in the vertical axis (y-axis). These scales must be multiples and not uneven numbers like 2, 5, 17 etc. 
• Now draw the graph by plotting the corresponding values for each fruit. 

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Things To Remember

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• Do not confuse Bar Graph with a histogram. The basic difference is to check the gaps between bars. In Histogram the rectangular bars are stuck to each other, whereas in a Bar Graphs bars are separated with equal gaps between. 
• Remember that Bar Graph works only with finite or discrete variables. Plotting infinite data requires making class intervals which are not possible in Bar Graph. 

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