Which of the following types of bar graphs shows increases and decreases compared with a given average?

Analyze the question: It asks which bar graph shows increases and decreases (positive and negative changes) relative to a given average or reference point.

Explain the concepts:

• Divided (compound/component) bar graph: A single bar split into segments, each showing a component part of the total (e.g., sources of a country's revenue).
• Group (multiple) bar graph: Bars for different categories placed side by side for comparison (e.g., rainfall and temperature for each month).
• Divergent bar graph: Bars extend above and below a baseline, which is usually an average or a mean value. Bars above the line show values higher than the average (increases), and bars below show values lower than the average (decreases).
• Percentage bar graph: Bars of equal length (100%), divided into segments showing each component's percentage share.

Solution:

1. The question is about showing deviation above and below an average.
2. Divided and percentage bar graphs show composition or proportion, not deviation.
3. Group bar graphs compare separate values side by side but have no average baseline.
4. Only the divergent bar graph is drawn with a central baseline (the average), with bars going up for increases and down for decreases.

Answer: C. Divergent bar graph

Tip: "Divergent" sounds like "diverge", meaning to move away from a point. The bars move away from the average line, either upward or downward. In the exam, whenever you see "above and below average" or "positive and negative", think divergent.