Question 1

Histograms and bar charts can look similar. Which of the following statements is true?
A) The bars on histograms are joined; but they are not on a bar chart
B) The bars on histograms represent numerical data; they do not on a bar chart
C) The bars on histograms and bar charts can both represent non-numeric data
D) The bars on histograms and bar charts should always be equal widths

Accepted Answer

Histograms display continuous numerical data with adjacent bars, while bar charts display categorical data with separated bars.

Question 2

Projected sales figures show that the rate of expansion of a small electronics firm should be constant over a 6 year period. Why does a semi-logarithmic graph provide a good solution to displaying this data?
A) Constant rates of change are shown as straight lines
B) It shows cumulative changes over time
C) It displays changes in the rate of change as positive or negative values
D) It is the clearest chart type for time series data

Accepted Answer

A semi-logarithmic graph is useful for displaying data with a constant rate of change because it transforms exponential growth or decay into a linear trend, making it easier to interpret and analyze.

Question 3

A colleague suggests that a diagram could help illustrate the average market share held by 3 supermarkets over the last 10 years. Which chart type might be most appropriate?
A) Line diagram
B) Single bar chart
C) Pie chart
D) Z-chart

Accepted Answer

Line diagrams are used to show trends over time, making them suitable for illustrating market share changes over 10 years.

Question 4

Pie charts are used to represent proportions of the whole. In a report showing sales by region, one region had €420,000 out of a total of €1.2M sales. What size sector (in degrees) should represent this region?
A) 116
B) 126
C) 136
D) 146

Accepted Answer

The size of the sector can be calculated by finding the proportion of sales for that region and then applying it to a full circle (360 degrees). The calculation is (€420,000 / €1,200,000) * 360 = 0.35 * 360 = 126 degrees.

Question 5

A Strata chart may also be called a cumulative line diagram. Which of the following data series might make best use of this chart type?
A) Production levels in a steelworks
B) The comparison of mobile phone sales in 5 countries
C) Comparison of the number of cars per household over the last 20 years
D) Count of the colour of cars driving over a particular bridge

Accepted Answer

A Strata chart, or cumulative line diagram, is best used for displaying data that accumulates over time, making it suitable for showing trends, such as the comparison of the number of cars per household over the last 20 years.

Question 6

Which chart type might be used to display a single time-series data set?
A) Pie chart
B) Gantt chart
C) Line diagram
D) Pictogram

Accepted Answer

A line diagram (or line chart) is ideal for displaying data points over a period of time, making it a perfect choice for visualizing a single time-series data set.

Question 7

A Z-chart is a particular way of displaying time series data. Which of the following options is NOT displayed on a Z-chart?
A) Moving totals
B) Accumulated time series values
C) Moving average values
D) Actual time series values

Accepted Answer

A Z-chart displays moving totals, accumulated time series values, and actual time series values, but not moving average values.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about bar charts is NOT true?
A) The bars may be horizontal or vertical
B) Back to back charts can be used for comparisons
C) They are easy for most readers to understand
D) They should not be used to represent negative values

Accepted Answer

Bar charts can indeed be used to represent negative values, often to show deficits or losses in financial contexts, among other applications. The other statements are true regarding bar charts.

Question 9

Which of the following general points about chart construction is NOT true?
A) Charts should be labelled clearly (including axes and titles)
B) Shading or colouring should be carefully used so as not to distract
C) Diagrams must always contain the minimum amount of data to be useful
D) Scales should always start at 0 and increase steadily to the maximum value

Accepted Answer

Scales do not always need to start at 0; they should be chosen to best represent the data and can start at a different value if it provides a clearer understanding of the data trends.

Question 10

What advantage do proportional pie charts have in comparison to straightforward multiple pie charts?
A) They can compare the size of class totals
B) They are easier to construct
C) They enable you to show time series changes
D) They are easier to read

Accepted Answer

Proportional pie charts allow for the comparison of the size of class totals by adjusting the size of each pie chart according to the total it represents, making it easier to visualize differences in magnitude between categories.

Quiz 5: General Charts and Graphs

Histograms and bar charts can look similar. Which of the following statements is true?

Projected sales figures show that the rate of expansion of a small electronics firm should be constant over a 6 year period. Why does a semi-logarithmic graph provide a good solution to displaying this data?

A colleague suggests that a diagram could help illustrate the average market share held by 3 supermarkets over the last 10 years. Which chart type might be most appropriate?

Pie charts are used to represent proportions of the whole. In a report showing sales by region, one region had €420,000 out of a total of €1.2M sales. What size sector (in degrees) should represent this region?

A Strata chart may also be called a cumulative line diagram. Which of the following data series might make best use of this chart type?

Which chart type might be used to display a single time-series data set?

A Z-chart is a particular way of displaying time series data. Which of the following options is NOT displayed on a Z-chart?

Which of the following statements about bar charts is NOT true?

Which of the following general points about chart construction is NOT true?

What advantage do proportional pie charts have in comparison to straightforward multiple pie charts?