AP CSP Day 42: Data Visualization Interpretation
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Big Idea 2
Day 42 Practice
Focus: Data Visualization Interpretation
Practice Question
A bar chart shows sales by region. The vertical axis starts at 5000 instead of 0. What effect does this have?
Why This Answer?
Starting the axis above zero exaggerates visual differences. A region with 6000 sales vs 5500 looks huge but is only a 10% difference.
Why Not the Others?
B) This makes visualization misleading, not more accurate.
C) All data would be visible starting at 0 too.
D) Has major effect - exaggerates differences.
Common Mistake
Watch Out!
Not recognizing that truncated axes distort perception. Always check if axes start at zero.
AP Exam Tip
Watch for truncated axes in charts - they can make small differences look dramatic.