Notes
- Use Area to show quantity
Proportional symbol charts use area (a two-dimensional property) to show quantity. Although it is more difficult to see fine differences in data in two dimensions, it brings the considerable advantage of being space efficient, while still allowing us to see relative differences.
Smith, Alan. How Charts Work (p. 42). Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.
Overall, the proportional symbol graphic is more attractive than the bar chart and facilitates comparisons across the full range of values. It’s proof that not every magnitude comparison should be a bar or column chart.
Smith, Alan. How Charts Work (p. 42). Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.
Features:
- relative difference
- space efficient = can include more information that a traditional bar chart
- Attractive
- Not every magnitude comparison should be a bar chart
Relationship to show
- Magnitude p 40