Question

describe what is misleading in the visual display of data below. world population, in billions choose the correct answer below. a. the bars on the vertical axis curve around the globe instead of being on a straight line. b. the title does not explain what is being displayed. c. part of the time frame on the horizontal axis of the graph has been cut off. d. time intervals on the horizontal axis do not represent equal amounts of time.

Explanation:

In a proper bar - graph (which this is a form of, despite the globe), the horizontal axis (usually representing time or categories) should have equal intervals if it is a time - based graph. Let's check each option:

• Option A: The shape of the vertical axis (bars curving around the globe) is more of a design choice rather than a data - misrepresentation issue.
• Option B: The title “World Population, in Billions” clearly indicates what is being displayed.
• Option C: There is no indication that part of the time frame is cut off.
• Option D: Calculate the time intervals:
• From 1804 - 1927: \(1927 - 1804=123\) years.
• From 1927 - 1960: \(1960 - 1927 = 33\) years.
• Since the time intervals on the horizontal axis (e.g., 1804 - 1927 vs 1927 - 1960) are not equal, it can mislead the viewer into misinterpreting the rate of population change (because in a bar - graph with unequal time intervals on the x - axis, a uniform - looking bar increase can imply a non - uniform rate of change).

Answer:

D. Time intervals on the horizontal axis do not represent equal amounts of time.