Bar Graphs Concepts

Understanding the Concepts of Bar Graphs

Bar graphs are particularly useful for displaying discrete data that can be divided into distinct categories. Bar graphs are essentially a visual representation of grouped data with considerable differences among the entries.

In a bar graph, the length or height of each bar corresponds to the value it represents. The bars are typically arranged horizontally or vertically along an axis, with the categories or groups being compared displayed on the other axis.

The value allows us to determine the relationship between the two categories and identify trends or draw conclusions based on the changes.

To solve bar graphs questions effectively, we are supposed to know a few concepts as most of the concepts around finding the sum, averages, percentages and ratios.

The following are the important bar graphs concepts:

1. Speed Maths

Quicker calculation techniques are the key to solving any data interpretation question faster. A quick calculation can be mastered by working on 2 things:

1.1 Memory Based

There are a few things we need to know by heart to do the calculations faster, ex - Squares of numbers from 1 to 40, 20 x 20 multiplication Table, etc.

For Example:

Squares of numbers from 1 to 40, 20 x 20 multiplication table, cubes of numbers from 1-12, powers of numbers from 2¹ to 2¹², etc.

1.2 Calculation Based Shortcuts

Few speed math techniques can be learned to perform the calculations faster.

For Example:

2 x 2 multiplication, finding squares of numbers, finding square roots quickly, etc.

2. Averages

There are few average based questions asked in most of the bar graphs sets, solve this effectively by adding the numbers and dividing it and quick calculation of averages using approximation techniques will definitely help.

For Example:

If you're given a bar graph showing sales of an article across 5 months, how much was the average sale in the first 3 months?

Here, you can take the sum of the sales number in the 3 months in question and divide it by 3 to get the answer.

3. Percentages

There are specific percentage based questions asked in most of the bar graphs sets, like 'what percentage of A is B', 'A% of B,' or 'percentage change'. To solve this effectively we need to be very good at calculation part of the percentages.

For Example:

If you're given a bar graph showing sales of an article across 5 months, how was the performance of sales in month 4 as compared to month 3?

Here, you can get the answer by finding out what percentage change in the sales of both the months.

4. Ratios

Some of the questions from the bar graphs question sets are based in ratios. These can be easily solved using approximation techniques, divisibility test and basic foundational understanding of ratios. Percentage concepts will also be a great help in solving bar graph question sets.

For Example:

If you're given a bar graph showing sales of an article across 5 months, what is the ratio of the rise in sales in the first 2 months and last 2 months?

You can answer this question by finding the ratio of the percentage changes in sales for the first and last 2 months.