What kinds of graphs are used to show trends or patterns?

line graphs

pie graphs

circle graphs

bar graphs

1 answer

To show trends or patterns, the following types of graphs are commonly used:

  1. Line Graphs: These are ideal for displaying trends over time, as they connect individual data points with a line. They effectively illustrate changes and patterns over intervals.

  2. Bar Graphs: These can be used to compare different categories or groups of data. While they are more effective for discrete data rather than continuous trends, they can show patterns in the frequency or changes across categories.

  3. Pie Charts (or Circle Graphs): While primarily used to show proportions or percentages within a whole, they are less effective for showing trends over time. However, you can use multiple pie charts to show changes in proportions across different timeframes.

In summary, for illustrating trends or patterns, line graphs and bar graphs are usually the most effective choices, while pie charts and circle graphs are better suited for showing parts of a whole.