Detailed Solutions to Practice #17

1. Why would you choose to display information in a table rather than a bar graph?
   The benefit of a table as opposed to a bar graph, is that exact figures can be determined. Usually, with a bar graph estimates have to be made. A bar graph is beneficial when we want to make generalizations and comparisons.
    
   
2. Why would you choose to display information in a circle graph rather than a table?
   A circle graph may be preferred over a table because comparisons of a part to a whole are quick to make and can be displayed visually, rather than through a listing of information.
    
   
3. Which type of visual display would you choose for each of the following:
    
   
   1. Illustrate the trend in money spent on health care, for each year, during the period 1970-1990.
      A bar graph should be used. Since we want to illustrate a trend over time, a bar graph would be the most appropriate visual display.
       
      
   2. Illustrate that Japan has a larger fraction of the total private investment spending of the world's major industrial powers in 1992.
      A circle graph should be used. In this situation we want to show Japan's part of the whole so a circle graph is the appropriate visual display.
       
      
   3. Show trends in SAT math and verbal scores over the last 25 years.
      A double bar graph should be used. We want to show trends over time so a bar graph is the most appropriate display. We also have two different variables, math and verbal scores, that will be on the graph; this means we will need a double bar graph.
       
      
   4. Present the number of banks in the greater Boston area at the start of each decade (for the 1900's).
      A table should be used. The scenario implies that we want to present numbers only, with no mention of wanting to look at trends or make comparisons. In this case a table would be an appropriate display. (You may have answered bar graph. However, this display would not present accurate numbers.)
       
      
   5. Illustrate the distribution of the federal budget.
      A circle graph should be used. In this case we want to illustrate the parts of the whole. This makes a circle graph the most appropriate visual display.
       
      
   6. Show the change in the labor force participation, by age and gender, over the past 50 years.
      A double bar graph should be used. To show a change over time, or to be able to make comparisons, we would want a bar graph. In this case since we are displaying both age and gender, a double bar graph should be used.
      

You have now completed all the instructional units for this book. Move on to the Summary, then complete the review test.

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