1. 4.02 Student Notes
Understand charts and graphs used in business.
I. What is the difference between a graph and a chart?
II. What is the purpose of a chart?
III. Which charts are used commonly in business and why?
IV. How is the type of chart determined?
V. Charts and Graphs used in Business
A. Purpose of charts and graphs
1. Charts and graphs are used in business to communicate and clarify
spreadsheet information
2. A graph is a pictorial representation of data. It includes the plot area,
gridlines, and values. A graph is used in a chart. A chart is an
enhancement of a graph that includes labels, legend information, titles,
and color and adds meaning to the graph.
3. Whereas spreadsheet data is often filled with numbers, labels, and values
that require time consuming analysis, a chart emphasizes and
categorizes the spreadsheet information into a format that can be quickly
and easily analyzed.
4. A chart is to a spreadsheet as a picture is to a thousand words
B. Examples of charts used in business
1. Represent sales trends within different departments of a store
2. Represent the contribution of individual employee sales to the total sales
for a company
3. Represent the percent of each expense to total expenses
4. Analyze stock prices and explain the fluctuations to stakeholders
VI. Components of Graphs and Charts
A. Graph
1. The y-axis is the left vertical side of the graph. It contains the numerical
data.
2. The x-axis is the bottom horizontal side of the graph. It contains the
category information.
3. Data markers are used in a graph to indicate data values.
4. A data series is a collection of related values, such as one row or column
from a spreadsheet.
5. A gridline is a horizontal or vertical line that extends across the plot area
of the graph for the purpose of adding clarification to the data.
6. The plot area is the background portion of a graph. It is the area bound
by the values (y) and categories (x) axes.
7. A tick mark is used in a graph to clarify data categories or values.
B. Chart
1. A legend is an object that explains the symbols, colors, or patterns used
to differentiate the data.
6411 – Computer Applications I Summer 2008, Version 2 Unit B – 4.02 – page 60

2. 4.02 Student Notes
Understand charts and graphs used in business.
2. A data label is a single value or text explanation used to explain the data
in a series.
3. A chart title is the main heading, which describes the purpose and
content.
4. The x-axis title describes the horizontal data.
5. The y-axis title describes the vertical data.
C. Embedded and linked
1. An embedded chart is one that appears on the same sheet as the
spreadsheet it represents; otherwise, it is referred to as a separate chart.
2. A linked chart is one that will reflect changes made to the spreadsheet it
represents.
VII. Common Charts Used in Business
A. A column chart is used to make comparisons and generalizations about groups
of data, such as to compare the number of students from each class
(Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors) to their attendance at assemblies.
B. A stacked bar chart is used to represent the sum of more than one value and
compare the contribution of individuals to the whole, such as the total sales for
three components to the whole sales for a store.
C. A line chart is used to show trends or changes in data over time, such as growth
in sales over several quarters.
D. An XY scatter chart is used to show the correlation of two or more data sets,
such as the correlation between stress rates and wait time in a doctor’s office.
E. A pie chart is used to represent the contribution of each component of one
series of data to the whole, such as the percentage of expenditures to the total
budget.
F. An exploded pie chart is a pie chart in which the individual components are
enhanced.
6411 – Computer Applications I Summer 2008, Version 2 Unit B – 4.02 – page 61

3. Chart Components Notes Student Activity
Name: Period: Date:
Chart Components Notes
Directions: Take notes as you view the Chart Components PowerPoint
1. What does a chart do that a spreadsheet does not?
2. What is the difference between a chart and a graph?
3. List examples of charts used in business.
Components of Graphs and Charts
1. Y- axis
2. X-axis
3. Data marker
4. Data series
5. Gridline
2
6. Plot area 1
7. Tick mark
5
8. Legend 3 4
9. Data label
10. Chart title
11. Axis titles
7
6
Label the Chart Parts 10
.
9
8

4. Chart Components Notes Student Activity
Name: Period: Date:
1.
What is an embedded chart?
2.
What is a linked chart?
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

5. Types of Charts graphic organizer Student Activity
Name: Period: Date:
TYPES OF CHARTS
Directions: Complete the table below as you view the Types of Charts PowerPoint. The first
item has been completed for you as an example.
Chart Name Description Best Used For:
1. Making comparisons and
Series of vertical columns generalizations about groups of
Column Chart that represent each data data, such as the attendance of
series. each group of upperclassmen at
assemblies
2.
3.

6. Types of Charts graphic organizer Student Activity
Name: Period: Date:
Chart Name Description Best Used For:
4.
5.
6.

7. Types of Charts graphic organizer Teacher Key
TYPES OF CHARTS KEY
Directions: Complete the table below as you view the Types of Charts PowerPoint. The first
item has been completed for you as an example.
Chart Name Description Best Used For:
1. Making comparisons and
Column Series of vertical columns each generalizations about groups of data,
Chart representative of a data series such as the attendance of each group
of upperclassmen at assemblies
2. Series of horizontal or vertical Comparing the contribution of
bars that are each divided into individual items to the whole, such
Stacked Bar two or more parts. Each bar as the contribution of each
represents the contributions of department’s sales to the total sales
one data group to the whole for a quarter
3. Series of data points connected Comparing trends, such as the
Line Chart by horizontal lines, each trends in sales of three departments
representing a series of data in a store over a period of time
4. Analyzing statistical or scientific data,
Series of data points connected
such as to determine a correlation
XY Scatter by horizontal lines, each
between stressors and pulse rate; the
representing a series of data
effect of one on the other
5. Indicating the relationship of one
component or data element to the
Pie Chart Represents only one data series whole, such as the percentage of
sales contributions of printers, PDAs,
and desktops to the total sales
6. An enhanced version of the pie Emphasizing one or more portions of
Exploded Pie
chart data

8. Name That Chart Student Activity
Student Name Period Date
NAME THAT CHART
Directions: The spreadsheet for the Bars a Million Company is below. Use the spreadsheet
and knowledge of the types of charts to decide which chart will best communicate the
information described in the scenarios on the next page

9. Name That Chart Student Activity
Student Name Period Date
NAME THAT CHART SCENARIOS
Choices: Column Chart, Stacked Bar, Line Chart, XY Scatter, Pie Chart, Exploded Pie
What type of Chart? Scenario
1. Compare the contribution of each individual employee to total
sales for Region 1 in January – February, with emphasis on the
months.
2. Compare the total sales for each region for January – March.
3. Compare the contribution of each individual employee to total
sales for Region 1 in January – February, with emphasis on the
employee.
4. To compare the Region 3 sales trends of each sales associate
over the 3 month period.
5. Determine the correlation between absences and sales for
Karl, Leslie, and Martin in Region 3 over the period of January
– March.
6. Display the percent contribution of all Region 2 Sales
Associates to the total sales for the month of January.
7. Display the percent contribution of all Region 5 Sales
Associates to the total sales for the month for March and
enhance each associate’s contribution.

10. Name That Chart Student Activity
Student Name Period Date

11. Name That Chart Teacher Key
NAME THAT CHART SCENARIOS KEY
Choices: Column Chart, Stacked Bar, Line Chart, XY Scatter, Pie Chart, Exploded Pie
What type of Scenario
Chart?
1. Column Chart Compare the contribution of each individual employee to total sales for
Region 1 in January – February, with emphasis on the months.
2. Column Chart Compare the total sales for each region for January - March.
3. Stacked Bar Compare the contribution of each individual employee to total sales for
Region 1 in January – February, with emphasis on the employee.
4. Line Chart To compare the Region 3 sales trends of each sales associate over the 3
month period.
5. XY Scatter Determine the correlation between absences and sales for Karl, Leslie, and
Martin in Region 3 over the period of January – March.
6. Pie Chart Display the percent contribution of all Region 2 Sales Associates to the
total sales for the month of January.
7. Exploded Pie Display the percent contribution of all Region 5 Sales Associates to the
total sales for the month for March and enhance each associate’s
contribution.

12. Name That Chart Teacher Key
GUIDED PRACTICE: CREATING A COLUMN CHART
Directions: For this activity, you will follow along with your teacher to take notes and create
the charts that represent the data in Items 1 and 2 of the Name that Chart activity
Notes for Creating a Column Chart

13. Guided Practice: Creating a Column Chart Teacher Key
GUIDED PRACTICE: CREATING A COLUMN CHART KEY
In Example 1, sales totals for each region are compared on a monthly basis from February –
March. In Example 2, the total sales for each region over a three month period are compared.
1.
2.

14. Guided Practice: Creating a Stacked Bar Chart Teacher Demonstration
Student Name Period Date
GUIDED PRACTICE: CREATING A STACKED BAR CHART
Directions: For this activity, you will follow along with your teacher to take notes and create
the chart that represents the data in Item 3 of the Name that Chart activity.
Notes for Creating a Stacked Bar Chart

15. Guided Practice: Creating a Stacked Bar Chart Teacher Key
GUIDED PRACTICE: CREATING A STACKED BAR CHART KEY
In this example, the monthly contribution of each employee to total sales is represented. Notice
how easily the employees’ sales contributions are compared.
3.

16. Guided Practice: Creating a Line Chart Teacher Demonstration
Student Name Period Date
GUIDED PRACTICE: CREATING A LINE CHART
Directions: For this activity, you will follow along with your teacher to take notes and create
the chart that represents the data in Item 4 of the Name that Chart activity
Notes for Creating a Line Chart

17. Guided Practice: Creating a Line Chart Teacher Key
GUIDED PRACTICE: CREATING A LINE CHART KEY
In this example, the category information (January-March) is represented on the x axis and
sales are represented on the y axis. This chart clearly emphasizes the sales trends over the
three-month period. The regional manager can use this information to learn more about each
employee as well as to analyze the market. Notice how the March sales declined for three
sales reps and rose for two. He might ask the top sales rep to share pointers with the other
reps. He also may decide to reassign the reps to determine if the trends are due to the
economic status of the companies or the marketing abilities of the reps.
4.
Region 3 Sales Trends
160,000
140,000
120,000
Sales (in Thousands)
100,000
King, Karl
Lemmons, Leslie
80,000 Murdoch, Martin
Neil, Nelly
Ormond, Oprah
60,000
40,000
20,000
-
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Month

18. Guided Practice: Creating an XY Scatter Chart Teacher Demonstration
Student Name Period Date
GUIDED PRACTICE: CREATING AN XY SCATTER CHART
Directions: For this activity, you will follow along with your teacher to take notes and create
the chart that represents the data in Item 5 of the Name that Chart activity
Notes for Creating an XY Scatter Chart

19. Guided Practice: Creating an XY Scatter Chart Teacher Demonstration
Student Name Period Date

20. Guided Practice: Creating an XY Scatter Chart Teacher Key
GUIDED PRACTICE: CREATING AN XY SCATTER CHART KEY
Which chart makes more sense? The chart on the top because it is progressing in a positive,
left to right direction. When making the determination of which series should appear on each
axis, ask the question, “What is the effect of the x on the y?” In this example, the question is,
“What is the effect of absences (x) on sales (y)?”
5. The Effect of Region 3 Absences on Sales
90,000
80,000
70,000
Sales (in Thousands)
60,000
King, Karl
50,000
Lemmons, Leslie
40,000
Murdoch, Martin
30,000
20,000
10,000
-
0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0
Absences
The Effect of Region 3 Absences on Sales
Murdoch, Martin
8.0
King, Karl
7.0 Lemmons, Leslie
6.0
Absences
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
- 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000
Sales

21. Guided Practice: Creating a Pie Chart Teacher Demonstration
Student Name Period Date
GUIDED PRACTICE: CREATING A PIE CHART
Directions: For this activity, you will follow along with your teacher to take notes and create
the chart that represents the data in Item 6 of the Name that Chart activity
Notes for Creating a Pie Chart

22. Guided Practice: Creating a Pie Chart Teacher Demonstration
Student Name Period Date
GUIDED PRACTICE: CREATING A PIE CHART KEY
In this example, we know that Jake Jackson and Ian Ingram achieved the highest sales
percentages for Region 2 in January
6.

23. Guided Practice: Creating an Exploded Pie Chart Teacher Demonstration
Student Name Period Date
GUIDED PRACTICE: CREATING AN EXPLODED PIE CHART
Directions: For this activity, you will follow along with your teacher to take notes and create
the chart that represents the data in Item 7 of the Name that Chart activity
Notes for Creating an Exploded Pie Chart

24. Guided Practice: Creating an Exploded Pie Chart Teacher Demonstration
Student Name Period Date
GUIDED PRACTICE: CREATING AN EXPLODED PIE CHART KEY
The exploded pie in this example puts a slightly different spin on the data by emphasizing the
individual sales representatives
7
Region 5 Sales Contributions for March
Unger, Ulyses
11%
Zimmerman, Zack
25% Varner, Vince
25%
Younts, Yolanda Webb, Wyat
25% 14%

25. Independent Practice: Creating Charts Teacher Key
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE: CREATING CHARTS KEY
1
Sales Trends by Department
60,000
Sales (in Thousands)
50,000
40,000
Music
30,000 Shoes
Clothing
20,000
10,000
0
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
Period
8,000 ABC
4th Quarter 3,500
Computers
15,755
Quarterly
7,000
3rd Quarter 3,500 Sales
Analysis 2009
Period
25,000
8,000
2nd Quarter 2,500
Printers
12,575 Computers
5,000 Monitors
1st Quarter 3,300
10,500
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000
2 Stacked Bar
Sales (in Thousands)

26. Independent Practice: Creating Charts Teacher Key

27. Independent Practice: Creating Charts Teacher Key
3 Wild River Expeditions
Gross Pay
Melton, Debra
8% Jones, Barry
16%
Cotton, Donna
8%
Love, LeAnn
9% Feree, Eileen
13%
McKay, Amy
7%
Miller, Kim
Scott, Patrice 11%
8%
Stevens, Nancy
Pendergrast, Jane 10%
10%
4 Wild River Expeditions
Net Pay per Employee
$1,100.00
$1,000.00
$900.00
$800.00
Pay (in Hundreds)
$700.00
$600.00
$500.00
$400.00
$300.00
$200.00
$100.00
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28. Independent Practice: Creating Charts Teacher Key
5.
Stress Analysis
140
120
100
Pulse Rate
80
60
40
Principal's
20 Office
Doctor's Office
0
0 5 10 15
Wait Time (in Minutes)