Arisa constructs a line graph to depict the increasing productivity of her three team members over the past year. She puts time on the vertical axis and productivity on the horizontal axis. She labels both the axes and also gives the graph a title. She does not use perspectives because she feels they will make the values difficult to read. When she presents her graph to her manager, he is dissatisfied because he finds it difficult to read. Which of the following is the most likely reason for his dissatisfaction with the graph?
A) She has depicted time on the vertical axis, not the horizontal axis.
B) She has labeled the axes, which creates visual clutter.
C) She has used a line graph instead of a bar chart.
D) She has used more than two lines in the graph.
E) She has avoided the use of perspectives.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Typically, in a line graph, time is represented on the horizontal axis (x-axis) and the variable being measured (in this case, productivity) is on the vertical axis (y-axis). Arisa's decision to place time on the vertical axis contradicts this convention, likely causing confusion and making the graph difficult to read.

Arisa Constructs a Line Graph to Depict the Increasing Productivity