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CMA Foundation · Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication · Use of Graphics and References for Business Communication

A bar chart prepared for a board presentation begins its vertical axis at Rs 90 crore instead of zero, so that a rise from Rs 92 crore to Rs 95 crore looks very large. Which design principle has been violated?

The principle of honest data representation has been violated. Because bar length shows magnitude, starting the axis at Rs 90 crore instead of zero exaggerates a small rise and misleads viewers. Effective graphics keep a zero baseline for bar charts so that visual differences match real differences.

  1. AUsing a legend for every series
  2. BRepresenting data honestly by using a zero baseline for bar lengthsCorrect
  3. CChoosing contrasting colours for the bars
  4. DPlacing the title above the chart

Explanation

Bar length encodes value, so truncating the axis exaggerates differences and misleads the audience. Honest representation requires a zero baseline for bars. Legends, contrast and title placement are not the problem described.

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