chart

A pie chart.

A chart is a visual representation of data, in which the data are represented by symbols such as bars in a bar chart or lines in a line chart.^[1] A chart can represent tabular numeric data, functions or some kinds of qualitative structures.

Overview

The term "chart" as a visual representation of data has multiple meanings.

• A data chart is a type of diagram or graph, that organizes and represents a set of numerical or qualitative data.
• Maps that are ardorned with extra information for some specific purpose are often known as charts, such as a nautical chart or aeronautical chart.
• Other domain specific constructs are sometimes called charts, such as the chord chart in music notation or a record chart for album popularity.

Charts are often used to ease understanding of large quantities of data and the relationships between parts of the data. Charts can usually be read more quickly than the raw data that they are produced from. They are used in a wide variety of fields, and can be created by hand (often on graph paper) or by computer using a charting application. Certain types of charts are more useful for presenting a given data set than others. For example, data that presents percentages in different groups (such as "satisfied, not satisfied, unsure") are often displayed in a pie chart, but may be more easily understood when presented in a horizontal bar chart^{[citation needed]}. On the other hand, data that represents numbers that change over a period of time (such as "annual revenue from 1990 to 2000") might be best shown as a line chart.

Features of a chart

A chart can take a large variety of forms, however there are common features that provide the chart with its ability to extract meaning from data.

Typically a chart is graphical, containing very little text, since humans are generally able to infer meaning from pictures quicker than from text. One of the more important uses of text in a graph is in the title. A graph's title usually appears above the main graphic and provides a succinct description of what the data in the graph refers to.

Dimensions in the data are often displayed on axes. If a horizontal and a vertical axis are used, they are usually referred to as the x-axis and y-axis respectively. Each axis will have a scale, denoted by periodic graduations and usually accompanied by numerical or categorical indications. Each axis will typically also have a label displayed outside or beside it, briefly describing the dimension represented. If the scale is numerical, the label will often be suffixed with the unit of that scale in parentheses. For example, "Distance travelled (m)" is a typical x-axis label and would mean that the distance travelled in metres is related to the horizontal position of the data.

Within the graph a grid of lines may appear to aid in the visual alignment of data. The grid can be enhanced by visually emphasizing the lines at regular or significant graduations. The emphasized lines are then called major grid lines and the rest of the grid lines are minor grid lines.

The data of a chart can appear in all manner of formats, with or without individual labels. It may appear as dots or shapes, connected or unconnected, and in any combination of colors and patterns. Inferences or points of interest can be overlayed directly on the graph to further aid information extraction.

When the data appearing in a chart contains multiple variables, the chart may include a legend. A legend contains a list of the variables appearing in the chart and an example of their appearance. This information allows the data from each variable to be identified in the chart.

Types of charts

Common charts

Four of the most common charts are:

Histogram

Bar chart

Pie chart

Line chart

This gallery shows:

• A histogram typically shows the quantity of points that fall within various numeric ranges (or bins).
• A bar chart uses bars to show frequencies or values for different categories.
• A pie chart shows percentage values as a slice of a pie.
• A line chart is a two-dimensional scatterplot of ordered observations where the observations are connected following their order.

Other common charts are:

Timeline chart	Organizational chart	Tree chart	Flow chart
Area chart	Cartogram	Pedigree chart

Less-common charts

Examples of less common charts are:

Bubble chart

Polar area diagram

Waterfall chart

Radar chart

This gallery shows:

• A bubble chart is a two-dimensional scatterplot where a third variable is represented by the size of the points.
• A Polar area diagram developed by Florence Nightingale is an enhanced form of pie chart.
• A radar chart or "spider chart" is a two-dimensional chart of three or more quantitative variables represented on axes starting from the same point.
• A waterfall chart also known as a "Walk" chart, is a special type of floating-column chart.

Field-specific charts

Some types of charts have specific uses in a certain field

Open-high-low-close chart

Candlestick chart

Kagi chart

Sparkline

This gallery shows:

• Stock market prices are often depicted with a open-high-low-close chart with a traditional bar chart of volume at the bottom.
• Candlestick charts are another type of bar chart used to describe price movements of an equity over time.^[2]
• A Kagi chart is a time-independent stock tracking chart that attempts to minimise noise.
• Alternatively, where less detail is required and chart size is paramount, a Sparkline may be used.

This kind of charts ^[3] are the main Chartists tools to forecast price movements by identifying patterns, this activity is known as Technical analysis.

Other examples:

• Interest rates, temperatures, etc., at the close of the period are plotted with a line chart.
• Project planners use a Gantt chart to show the timing of tasks as they occur over time.

Well-known named charts

Some of the better-known named charts are:

Gantt chart

Nolan chart

PERT chart

Smith chart

Some specific charts have become well known by effectively explaining a phenomenon or idea.

• An Allele chart is a chart originating from the study of genetics to show the interaction of two data points in a grid.
• A Gantt chart helps in scheduling complex projects.
• The Nolan chart is a libertarian political chart.
• A PERT chart is often used in project management.
• The Pournelle chart is a political chart to categorize state and rational ideologies.
• The Smith chart serves in radio electronics.

Other charts

There are dozens of other types of charts. Here are some of them:

Control chart	Natal chart	Nomogram	Pareto chart
Run chart	Structure chart	Vowel chart

Common plots

Box plot

Dot plot (statistics)

Probability plot

Scatterplot

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chart

• Edward Tufte
• Exploratory data analysis
• Information graphics
• Graphic organizer
• Mathematical diagram
• Official statistics
• Plot (graphics)

References

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2008)