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Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions) - CSAT Preparation - UPSC

What are Bar Charts?

Bar charts are one of the easiest, graphically attractive and hence most commonly used methods of presenting all types of data. They are especially useful for representing various data series. 

Bar ChartBar Chart

  • The data series comprises the continuous variables while the values of the specific instances at which the value of the data series is measured represent the values of the discrete variables.
  • Presentation of data as bar charts makes the comparative study of the data very easy. A bar chart consists of a group of bars that are equidistant from each other. The values on the bar charts are read by the measurement of the length or the height of the bars. 
  • The width of the bars is largely inessential and is used only for the clarity of the presentation.

Now let's have a look at the different kinds of bar charts and the kinds of data that can be represented on a bar chart.

1. Simple Bar Chart


The simple bar chart has one continuous variable charted along with one discrete variable. 

Figure below shows an example of a Simple Bar Chart.

Simple Bar ChartSimple Bar Chart

2. Composite Bar Chart


One of the primary limitations of the simple bar chart is that it can only be used to display a single continuous variable.

  • If two or more sets of continuous variables are to be shown on the same bar chart, we use what is called a composite bar chart. 
  • Figure below shows an example of the Composite Bar Chart.

Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions) | CSAT Preparation - UPSC

Question for Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions)
Try yourself:The bar graph given below shows the sales of books (in thousand number) from six branches of a publishing company during two consecutive years 2000 and 2001.

Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions) | CSAT Preparation - UPSC

What is the ratio of the total sales of branch B2 for both years to the total sales of branch B4 for both years?

View Solution

The Use of Bar Charts to Show Deviations


Deviation bars are useful for graphic presentation of continuous variables which can have both positive and negative values, i.e., surplus or deficit, net profit or loss, net of imports and exports.

In general continuous variables which have both positive and negative values are best represented on bar charts.

Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions) | CSAT Preparation - UPSC

  • A baseline is created and positive values (such as profit, surplus), etc., are represented by bars above the baseline while negative deviations (loss or deficit) are represented by bars below the baseline as shown in the figure above.

Representation of Percentage on a Stacked Bar Chart


Sometimes stacked bars can also be used to represent the break-up of some continuous variable. The figure below will make it clear.

  • Such use of bar charts is quite convenient for comparing two or more sets of data.
  • The figure below shows the break-up of the various sources of revenues for the Government of India over a two-year period.

Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions) | CSAT Preparation - UPSC

Question for Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions)
Try yourself:The following chart represents the number of students of AMS careers at its Lucknow center who passed either the CAT exam or XAT exam or CET exam or none of these exams. Assume that there are no students who passed more than one exam.

Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions) | CSAT Preparation - UPSC

What was the percentage of students who cleared CAT in 2000?

View Solution

Solved Examples


Q.1. Answer the question based on the chart below.

Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions) | CSAT Preparation - UPSC

(i) In how many of the given years was the exports at least 10% more than the imports?

(A) 0       (B) 1       (C) 2        (D) 3       (E) 4

Solution:

(a) In 1994, exports = 80 

Imports = 70

10% of imports = (70 x (10/100) = 7)

⇒, Exports > imports + 10% of imports

(b) In 1995, exports = 130

Imports = 120

10% of Imports =(120 x (10/100) = 12)

⇒ Exports < imports + 10% of imports

(c) In 1996, exports = 140

Imports =  150

⇒ Exports < Imports so we need not consider this case.

(d) In 1997, Exports = 112

Imports = 100

10% of Imports = (100 x (10/100) = 10)

⇒ Exports > Imports + 10% of imports(e). In 1998, Exports = 170

Imports = 160

10% of Imports = (160 x (10/100) = 16)

⇒ Exports < Imports + 10% of Imports

(f) Exports =  160

Imports = 150

10% of Imports = (150 x (10/100) = 15)

⇒ Exports < Imports + 10% if Imports

⇒The given condition was satisfied in two years.

Choice (C) is the correct answer.


(ii) What were the average exports for the given period (in Rs. 000' crores)?

(A) 145       (B) 132       (C) 126       (D) 119       (E) 138

Solution:

Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions) | CSAT Preparation - UPSC

Thus choice (B) is the right answer.


(iii) From 1995 to 1999, in which year was the percentage growth In exports, when compared to the previous year, the highest?

(A) 1995       (B) 1996       (C) 1997       (D) 1998       (E) 1999

Solution: Export in a year exceeded that in the previous year in 1995, I996 and I998. Percentages by which exports in I995, I996 and 1998 exceed the exports in the previous year were:

Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions) | CSAT Preparation - UPSC

Only in I995 was the growth more than 60%

Thus choice (A) is the correct answer.


(iv) What is the simple average annual growth rate in the imports from I994 to 1999?

(A) 15      (B) 18      (C) 19      (D) 21      (E) 23

Solution:

Imports in 1994 (in '000 crores) = 70

Imports in 1999 (in '000 crores) = 150

Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions) | CSAT Preparation - UPSC

Thus choice (E) is the correct answer.


(v) Among the years in which the imports, as well as exports, exceed those in the previous years, In how many years was the percentage increase in imports less than the percentage increase in exports?

(A) 0       (B) 1       (C) 2       (D) 3       (E) 4

Solution: The imports, as well as exports, exceeded those in the previous years in I995, I996 and 1998. In none of the years was the given condition satisfied.

Thus choice (A) is the correct answer.


Q.2. Production of paper (in lakh tonnes) by three companies X, Y and Z over the years. Study the graph and answer the questions that follow. 

Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions) | CSAT Preparation - UPSC

(i) What is the difference between the production of company Z in 1998 and company Y in 1996?

Ans: Required difference 

= [(45 - 25) * 1,00,000] tones 

= 20,00,000 tons.


(ii) What is the ratio of the average production of company X in the period 1998-2000 to the average production of company Y in the same period?

Ans:  Average production of company X in the period 1998-2000 = [1/3 * (25 + 50 + 40)] = (115/3) lakh tons. Average production of company Y in the period 1998-2000 = [1/3 * (35 + 40 + 50)] = (125/3) lakh tons. Required ratio = (115/3)/(125/3) = 115/125 = 23/25


(iii) What is the percentage increase in the production of company Y from 1996 to 1999?

Ans: Percentage increase in the production of company Y from 1996 to 1999 = [(40 - 25)/25 * 100]% = (15/25 * 100)% = 60%


(iv) The average production for five years was maximum for which company? 

Ans: For company 

  • X = [1/5 * (30 + 45 + 25 + 50 + 40)] = 190/5 = 38
  • For company Y = [1/5 * (25 + 35 + 35 + 50 + 40)] = 185/5 = 37 
  • For company Z = [1/5 * (35 + 40 + 45 + 35 + 35)] = 190/5 = 38 
  • Average production of five years in maximum for both the companies X and Z.

(v) In which year was the percentage of production of company Z to the production of company Y the maximum?

Ans: The percentage of production of company Z to the production of company Z for various years are:

For 1996 = (35/25 * 100)% = 140% 
For 1997 = (40/35 * 100)% = 114.29% 
For 1998 = (45/35 * 100)% = 128.57% 
For 1999 = (35/40 * 100)% = 87.5% 
For 2000 = (35/50 * 100)% = 70% 

Clearly, this percentage is highest for 1996.

The document Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions) | CSAT Preparation - UPSC is a part of the UPSC Course CSAT Preparation.
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FAQs on Bar Graphs: Introduction and Examples (with Solutions) - CSAT Preparation - UPSC

1. What are bar charts?
Ans. Bar charts are graphical representations of data using rectangular bars of different lengths or heights. They are used to compare and display categorical data in a visual format.
2. How can bar charts be used to show deviations?
Ans. Bar charts can show deviations by comparing the length or height of the bars. If the bars deviate from a baseline or reference point, it indicates a positive or negative deviation from that point. The length or height of the bars can visually represent the magnitude of the deviation.
3. How can percentages be represented on a stacked bar chart?
Ans. Percentages can be represented on a stacked bar chart by dividing the bar into segments proportional to the percentage values. Each segment represents a category, and their combined length or height adds up to 100% of the total. The length or height of each segment corresponds to its percentage value.
4. Can you provide an example of how to interpret a bar graph?
Ans. Sure! Let's say we have a bar graph representing the sales of different products over a month. The length of each bar represents the sales value for that product. By comparing the lengths of the bars, we can determine which products had higher or lower sales. The bar with the longest length indicates the product with the highest sales, while the bar with the shortest length indicates the product with the lowest sales.
5. Are there any solved examples available for better understanding bar graphs and their interpretation?
Ans. Yes, there are solved examples available that provide step-by-step explanations on how to interpret bar graphs. These examples can help in understanding the concept of bar graphs and their applications in data interpretation.
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