Bar Graph with Types – Vertical, Horizontal, Grouped & Stacked with Examples
Ashutosh Sharma
| Updated: Jan 13, 2023 16:22 IST
Bar graph or chart is a representation tool to make data visually more noticeable. A bar graph is the basic form of a graph and is found in various competitive examinations across India. In exams, one can get 5-6 questions from bar graphs and questions vary from easy to difficult level. Banking examinations hold a maximum weightage of graph-based questions in the examinations. Before starting to solve the problems on bar graphs we must have a complete understanding of their purpose and types, and make sure that we leave no stone unturned in pursuit of learning.
What is Bar Graph?
A bar graph is one of the types of graphs or charts consisting of rectangular horizontal or vertical lines with an x-axis or y-axis respectively and used to represent categorical data in a tabular form.
Example of Bar Graph:
Types of Bar Graphs
Bar graphs can be categorized mainly into 4 different types:
- Vertical Bar Graph
- Horizontal Bar Graph
- Grouped Bar Graph
- Stacked Bar Graph
Vertical Bar Graph
In the vertical bar graph, the rectangular lines are placed vertically with respect to the x-axis, and the data is represented along the y-axis.
Horizontal Bar Graph
In the horizontal bar graph, the bars are placed horizontally with respect to the y-axis, and the data is represented along the x-axis.
Grouped Bar Graph
In a grouped bar graph, the bars are placed in such a way that they form the number of groups with each group representing different aspects of a single entity and can be represented vertically as well as horizontally.
Stacked Bar Graph
In a stacked bar graph, a single bar represents more than one aspect of a single entity and can be arranged vertically or horizontally.
Properties of Bar Graphs
The properties of bar graphs are given below:
- The distance between two single or concerted bars should be the same.
- The data to be represented should be corresponding to the x-axis or y-axis.
- The thickness of the bars should be the same.
- The bars should be uniform in length and width.
- All the bars in any graph should have a datum axis.
Uses of Bar Graphs
- Bar graphs have generally been used to compare the data that changes over a period of time.
- To make the presentations more understandable. By highlighting the major points.
Difference Between Bar Graph and Histogram
The bar graphs are similar to some extent as both represent data in the form of bars and both can be represented vertically or horizontally. A bar graph is used to compare the data over a period of time whereas a histogram is used to represent the time range. For example, if ages of A, B, and C are 40, 55, and 60 can be represented individually in a single bar in the bar graph, on the other hand 40 – 55 and 55 – 60 ranges can be shown in two attached bars.
Advantages of Bar Graphs
- It is used to present the summarized data.
- Easily understandable to interpret the changes over a period of time.
- It helps present the data in distinct sets.
Disadvantages of Bar Graphs
- It lacks when it comes to identifying the pattern causing the effect.
Learn about Multiple Line Graph
How to Construct a Bar Graph on Paper
Let us consider that four students Rahul, Sanjay, Rohit, and Vinay appeared for a maths test and they got different marks on the test. The maximum marks of the test were 100 and Rahul scored 60 marks, Sanjay scored 72 marks, Rohit scored 68 marks and Vinay scored 80 marks.
We can construct a bar graph to represent the marks obtained will require the following steps to be followed:
Step 1: Write down a title for the chart i.e. marks of four students on the maths test.
Step 2: As we are constructing a vertical bar graph, we have to draw a datum axis which would be the x-axis.
Step 3: Draw a y-axis and divide the line into 10 equal parts to match the readings.
Step 4: Write down the marks along the y-axis and names along the x-axis.
Step 5: Now draw the bars having equal widths and the length of the bars will determine with respect to the marking points on the y-axis.
Solved Examples of Bar Graph
Directions: In the given Bar graph, the number of male and female participated in voluntary work for helping the poor affected due to the lockdown from three districts Chamba, Shimla, Kullu, and Kangra in April 2020.
Example: What is the average number of Male participants in voluntary work from all four districts?
Given:
| District | Male | Female |
| Chamba | 42 | 30 |
| Shimla | 48 | 52 |
| Kullu | 46 | 60 |
| Kangra | 56 | 20 |
Calculation:
Total number of Male participant from all district = 42 + 48 + 46 + 56 = 192
Average number of Male participant = 192/4 = 48
Hence, The average number of male participants in voluntary work from all four districts is 48.
Directions: Following graph shows the percentage savings of persons A, B, and C in five years from 2016 to 2020.
Savings = Income – Expenditure
Savings percentage = (Saving/Income) × 100
Example: In 2018, the monthly income of B and C were ₹ 45,000 and ₹ 50,000 respectively. What was the difference between the monthly savings of B and C in the same year?
Given: Monthly income of B in the year 2018 = ₹ 45,000
Monthly income of C in the year 2018 = ₹ 50,000
| Persons | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| A | 15% | 20% | 15% | 20% | 18% |
| B | 12% | 14% | 15% | 8% | 12% |
| C | 20% | 22% | 18% | 16% | 20% |
Formula used:
Savings = Income – Expenditure
Savings percentage = (Savings/Income) × 100
Calculation:
Monthly savings of B in the year 2018 = 45000 × (15/100) = 6750
Monthly savings of C in the year 2018 = 50000 × (18/100) = 9000
⇒ The required difference = 9000 – 6750 = 2250
Hence, The difference between the monthly savings of B and C in the year 2018 is 2250.
| If you are checking Bar Graph article, also check the related maths articles: | |
| Simple Bar Graph | Horizontal Bar Graph |
| Types of Graphs | Multiple Bar Diagram |
| Double Bar Graph | Compound Bar Graph |
FAQs on Bar Graph
Q.1 What is the purpose of a bar graph?
Ans.1 A bar graph is used to represent the data in the form of bars and used to find the changes incurred over a period of time. It also makes the presentations more understandable. By highlighting the major points.
Q.2 What is bar graph?
Ans.2 A bar graph is one of the types of graphs or charts consisting of rectangular horizontal or vertical lines with an x-axis or y-axis respectively and used to represent categorical data in a tabular form.
Q.3 What are the properties of bar graphs?
Ans.3 The properties of bar graphs are given below:
- The distance between two single or concerted bars should be the same.
- The data to be represented should be corresponding to the x-axis or y-axis.
- The thickness of the bars should be the same.
- The bars should be uniform in length and width.
- All the bars in any graph should have a datum axis.
Q.4 What are the different types of Bar Graph?
Ans.4 There are 4 types of Bar Graph – Vertical Bar Graph, Horizontal Bar Graph, Grouped Bar Graph and Stacked Bar Graph.
Q.5 What is the difference between Bar Graph and Histogram?
Ans.5 A bar graph is used to compare the data over a period of time whereas a histogram is used to represent the time range.
