Question

When constructing a graph that compares the land areas of the five largest countries, you choose to depict the five areas with squares of different sizes. If the squares are drawn so that the areas are in proportion to the areas of the corresponding countries, is the resulting graph calid? why or why not?
1)yes, using area in graphs is never misleading
2)yes, the areas on the graph are drawn in proportion to the land areas
3)no, using area in graphs is always misleading
4)no, the areas on the graph are drawn in proportion to the land areas

Answer 1

The best answer to your question is:

2) yes, the areas on the graph are drawn in proportion to the land areas.

This is because using squares (or other shapes) to represent quantities in proportion to their actual values is a valid method of visualization, provided that the dimensions of the shapes correctly reflect the proportions of the areas. When you use area to represent quantities, as long as the areas are correctly scaled to the values they represent, the graph is appropriate and not misleading.