Chart 164460 224216988 2008-07-07T21:09:54Z Mdd 113850 Wikification - A start {{Otheruses}} {{Redirect|Plotting|other uses|Plot}} [[Image:Composition of 38th Parliament.png|thumb|A [[pie chart]].]] A '''chart''' or '''graph''' is a type of [[information graphic]], that represents [[Table (information)|tabular]] [[number|numeric]] data and/or [[Graph of a function|functions]]. == Overview == Charts are often used to make it easier to understand large quantities of data and the relationship between different parts of the data. Charts can usually be read more quickly than the raw data that they come 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 [[percentage]]s in different groups (such as "satisfied, not satisfied, unsure") are often displayed in a [[pie chart]], but are more easily understood when presented in a horizontal [[bar chart]] {{Fact|date=May 2008}}. 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]]. ''Usage note'': many [[information graphics]] or [[diagrams]] include the word "chart" in their name but are covered in those other articles (e.g., [[flowchart]], [[org chart]], [[smith chart]]). == Types of charts == [[Image:Black cherry tree histogram.svg|thumb|[[Histogram]] of the heights of some [[Black Cherry]] trees.]][[Image:ScientificGraphSpeedVsTime.svg|thumb|[[Line chart]] of Speed Vs Time]][[Image:oldfaithful3.png|thumb|[[Scatterplot]] of the eruption interval for a [[geyser]].]] === Common charts === * A [[histogram]] typically shows the quantity of points that fall within various numeric ranges (or bins). * A [[bar graph]] uses bars to show frequencies or values for different categories. * A [[line chart]] is a two-dimensional scatterplot of ordered observations where the observations are connected following their order. * A [[pie chart]] shows percentage values as a slice of a pie. * A [[scatterplot]] uses [[Cartesian coordinates]] to show the relation of two or more quantitative variables. * A [[timeline]] chart === Less-common charts === * A [[box plot]] (or box-and-whiskers plot) shows information about the [[frequency distribution|distribution]] (minimum, maximum, mean average, etc.) along a single axis. * A [[bubble chart]] is a two-dimensional scatterplot where a third variable is represented by the size of the points. * A [[Tonnetz|doughnut chart]] * A [[Pie chart#Polar area diagram|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 [[ternary plot]] is a barycentric plot on three variables which sum to a constant.. * 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 * Stock market prices are often depicted with a [[open-high-low-close chart]] with a traditional bar chart of volume at the bottom. ** [[Candlestick chart]]s are another type of bar chart used to describe price movements of an equity over time. ** 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. * Interest rates, temperatures, etc., at the close of the period are plotted with a line chart. * Scatter charts plot readings of two variables simultaneously as dots between the X-axis and the Y-axis, such as for price and earnings. * Marketers use a [[lift chart]] to highlight performance. * Project planners use a [[Gantt chart]] to show the timing of tasks as they occur over time. * A [[phase diagram]] denotes the equilibrium conditions between thermodynamically-distinct [[phase (matter)|phases]]. == Well-known (named) charts == 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. * [[Bode plot]]s are used in [[Control Theory]]. * The [[Dalitz plot]] is a scatterplot which represents the relative frequency of manners in which the products of certain three-body decays may move apart. * A [[Gantt chart]] helps in scheduling complex projects. * A [[Lineweaver-Burk plot]] is used to represent and determine [[enzyme kinetics]]. * [[Nichols plot]]s are used in [[Control Theory]]. * The [[Nolan chart]] is a libertarian political chart. * [[Nyquist plot]]s are used in [[Control Theory]]. * A [[Program Evaluation and Review Technique| 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]]. ==See also== * [[Edward Tufte]] * [[Exploratory data analysis]] * [[Flowchart]] * [[Information graphics]] * [[graphic organizer]] == References == {{Unreferenced|date=May 2007}} {{Visualization}} [[Category:Infographics]] [[Category:Diagrams| ]] [[Category:Charts| ]] [[da:Graf]] [[de:Diagramm]] [[es:Diagrama]] [[fr:Diagramme]] [[ja:統計図表]] [[pl:Wykres]] [[pt:Gráfico]] [[simple:Chart]] [[sv:Graf]]