A line graph is a graphical presentation of information that continuously changes over time. The line graph is also called a line chart.
A line chart is used for:
- Show forecast data and uncertainty
- Comparison of different data
- Highlights anomalies in or across data series
- Display trends and changes over time
- Shows important annotation and context
Table of Contents
Line Graph Parts
The line graph is composed of 2 parts. These are the 2 axes, including the x axis and y axis.
- X axis – it is the horizontal axis of the line graph. It displays the categories and occurrences which are compared over time.
- Y axis – it is the vertical axis of the line graph. This axis is the representation of the scale, which is the number set that signifies the data.
How Line Graph Works
A line graph is beneficial in measuring the value of something you want to monitor in a different time period. Then, you can now make a plot of the points on the graph and connect the points by drawing a line.
Reading a Line Graph
You can easily read a line graph by considering the ideas below.
- The first thing is to look at the 2 axes of the graph. You must identify what these axes denote.
- Next, you can understand the values of the points in the lines of the graph.
- By following the lines, you can figure out whether it falls or rises. You can also check whether the lines intersect to each other or have repeated patterns.
With that, you will know the line graph’s purpose.
Although they are useful, a line graph is not best to use for the following purposes:
- Displaying sparse data sets
- Representation of quantities of things
- Creating part-to-whole comparisons
- Working with categorical information
To sum it up, the line graph has specific uses to compare information that continues to change.
