What is the difference between a chart and a graph

I mean, in this particular sense of the words; it is not relevant that a chart is also a nautical map, a plot is also a scheme, and a graph is also an unrelated mathematical object. The terms partly overlap, at least if they are used somewhat loosely, and in that overlap there isn't really any difference. A graph is a diagram of a mathematical function, but can also be used loosely about a diagram of statistical data.

A plot is the result of plotting statistics as a diagram in different ways, where some of the ways are similar to some chart types. So, a line chart could be called a graph or a plot, while a pie chart is neither a graph nor a plot. A scatterplot is a chart but not strictly a graph, but the purpose of a scatterplot is to determine if there is some relation that can be expressed as a function that then naturally can be drawn as a graph.

Chart and graph are essentially synonymous, but there are some cases where one is preferred over another. This Google Ngram "chart" shows their relative uses:. From this we can see that "bar chart" and "bar graph" are used about as much as each other and have been since the early twentieth century. Plots are different. We make plots out of points, and for something to be a plot, both axes must be continuous. For example, you can make a plot of the height vs.

In my professional and academic writing experience, I have never encountered a style guide that defines rules for these words. I am Australian, an engineer former and a mathematics teacher and I consider the following to be best practice when writing and teaching. The etymology of the suffix -graph supports my practice. Scratching with a stick produces a line. But could also produce a pictograph, figure, diagram etc. A map is a pictorial or symbolic representation.

The etymology of plot might support my practice. Rectangular areas correlate with the notion of coordinates sides of a rectangle. Furthermore, variations of plot in other languages typically mean marking points on a chart. A chart illustrates data using only one quantitative coordinate.

Charts are most appropriate for quantitatively comparing discrete categories or groups of data. The most common charts are column, bar, line and pie charts. Bar charts are appropriate for displaying categorical data. Bar charts compare categories or groups using some quantitative measurement. A graph is a method of relating one qualitative [I think this a mistake, and it's meant to say 'quantitative' The most common graphs are histograms and frequency polygons.

The two most commonly employed graphs are the histogram and the frequency polygon. So it seems charts are for when there's one qualitative variable such as type, preference, or gender and one quantitative variable such as time, age or amount.

These include pie charts and bar charts. Whereas graphs are for when you have two quantitative variables. A plot would apply to line charts, with plotted points. A chart could arrange the data in columns, rows, pie shapes, etc. Graphs are synonymous with charts, though i would reserve "chart" for more plain depictions and call data arranged in columns of kittens "graphs" though that's just my style choice.

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Free Investment Banking Course. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you. Email ID. Contact No. A graph is a kind of diagram which represents a system of interrelations or connections among 2 or more things by several distinctive lines, dots, bars, etc. Graphs will show the mathematical connections or interrelationships between the sets of data. Charts will present the information or the data in the form of diagrams, graphs, or tables.

Graphs also provide the visual form by using one of those methods i. Charts are the larger group of methods that are used for presenting the data or the information. Graphs will take pictures of the numerical data or numerical information.

Diagrams that are used in the charts can show sequential events such as the history of the U. Pie charts, bar graphs, line graphs etc. As stated earlier graphs are the subset of the charts and hence charts do not have their own type, but there are Examples of charts such as using the maps to include drunk driving statistics or volcano and earthquake locations.

In other words, graphs make pictures of numerical information. Graphs can be simple, or they can be quite complicated, but they should always be selected to present their data as clearly as possible. Sometimes two graphs are better than one, if each graph shows a different aspect of the same data set. Not all graphs are created equal, however.

The type of graph used depends on the type of data. Bar graphs compare discrete sets of data. If one set of data doesn't influence the other set of data, a bar graph might be the best choice. For example, comparing drunk driving arrests in different states would use a bar graph, or comparing average heights of fifth-grade boys and girls. Line graphs show changes in a group. Types of data graphed on line graphs include changes over time and changes with temperature.

Plant growth over time, change in height with age, change in volume with temperature — these data sets should be graphed using line graphs.

Pie charts, also known as circle graphs, depict parts of a whole. The pie wedges add up to one complete pie. Statistics related to a closed population can be presented in pie charts. Demographics, for example, work well, if each member falls into one of the distinct groups. The numbers must graph as percentages that add up to percent or as numbers that add up to equal the total population.