How to Read a Bar Graph
Hello, class! Today we will be looking at how to read a VERTICAL bar graph. These methods could pretty much work on a line graph, but please remember we are focusing on bar graphs!
1. Read the title, labels of the horizontal axis and labels of the vertical axis. These can tell you the first off basics of the chart; what the graph is about, etc.
2. Check the scale for the vertical axis. You will want to be able to calculate how many of this and that by observing the scale and range on the vertical axis.
3. Locate the label on the horizontal axis you want the most information from. The label for each bar graph will be on the horizontal axis. Locate the one you want the most information from.
4. Read directly up from that label to the top of the bar. Then look directly to the left to see the vertical axis. Whatever the quantity is, is your answer.
Congratulations, you now know how to read a bar graph!
Combining Bar Graphs and Line Graphs
Hello, class! Today we will be learning about combining bar graphs and line graphs! It may seem odd, but it is in fact a real thing that people all over the world commonly use.
The title is just as it sounds; we combine a bar graph and a line graph. Here's a good example of one: http://www.ciese.org/curriculum/weatherproj2/images/graph_combo.gif.
It may look big and scary and complicated, but as we progress you will see it really isn't.
As you can see, there is an added vertical axis! This time the title is 'Temperature (°C)'. You read the line graph with the scale on the right hand side vertical axis! It looks simple now, right? And as you expect, you read the bar graphs with the left hand vertical axis.
You would make this the way you make a bar graph, just add a few extra steps to add in another vertical axis, draw in the line graph, and you're done!
If you were wondering, there is no specific name for this type of graph. However, I personally like to call it a 'Bar and Line Graph Combo'.
