Plot (graphics)

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Plot (graphics)

A plot in the context of graphics refers to a graphical representation of data. It is a fundamental tool in data visualization and is used to illustrate the relationship between different variables. Plots are widely used in various fields such as statistics, science, engineering, and business to analyze and interpret data.

Types of Plots

There are several types of plots, each serving a specific purpose:

• Line plot: A type of plot which displays information as a series of data points called 'markers' connected by straight line segments. It is commonly used to visualize trends over time.
• Bar chart: A plot that presents categorical data with rectangular bars. The lengths of the bars are proportional to the values they represent.
• Histogram: A type of bar chart that represents the distribution of numerical data. It is used to estimate the probability distribution of a continuous variable.
• Scatter plot: A plot that uses Cartesian coordinates to display values for typically two variables for a set of data. It is used to observe relationships between variables.
• Pie chart: A circular statistical graphic divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportions.
• Box plot: A method for graphically depicting groups of numerical data through their quartiles. It is useful for identifying outliers and understanding the distribution of data.

Components of a Plot

A typical plot consists of several key components:

• Title: Describes the main topic or purpose of the plot.
• Axes: The horizontal (x-axis) and vertical (y-axis) lines that frame the plot. They are labeled to indicate the variables being measured.
• Data points: The individual values plotted on the graph.
• Legend: Explains the symbols, colors, or patterns used in the plot.
• Grid lines: Optional lines that help in reading the values from the plot.

Applications

Plots are used in various applications, including:

• Scientific research: To present experimental data and results.
• Business analytics: To visualize sales trends, market analysis, and financial data.
• Engineering: To analyze system performance and design parameters.
• Education: To teach concepts in mathematics and statistics.

Software for Plotting

Several software tools and programming languages are commonly used for creating plots, including:

• Microsoft Excel
• MATLAB
• R
• Python (with libraries such as Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Plotly)
• GNU Octave

Related Pages

• Data visualization
• Statistics
• Graph (discrete mathematics)
• Chart
• Infographic