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Grouped Bar Charts

Another common option is a grouped bar chart, where bars for each category are placed side by side instead of stacking them.

This is useful when you want to compare categories across groups (like economic sectors in different countries), rather than within one total.

Steps to Create a Grouped Bar Chart

Set a bar width and create an array for x-axis positions using np.arange();
Combine your category data into a 2D array;
Use a for loop to draw each group of bars with the bar() function, shifting their positions horizontally;
Customize the x-axis tick positions and labels using plt.xticks().


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import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

# Labels and data
countries = ['USA', 'China', 'Japan']
positions = np.arange(len(countries))

primary = np.array([1.4, 4.8, 0.4])
secondary = np.array([11.3, 6.2, 0.8])
tertiary = np.array([14.2, 8.4, 3.2])

# Group the data
sectors = np.array([primary, secondary, tertiary])

# Width of each bar
width = 0.25

# Plot each group of bars
for i in range(len(sectors)):
    plt.bar(positions + width * i, sectors[i], width)

# Center the group of bars and label the ticks
plt.xticks(positions + width, countries)

plt.show()

How `xticks()` Works

The first argument shifts the tick marks to the center of each group of bars;
The second argument sets the labels using the countries list.

Note

This approach works for any number of categories — just adjust the width to make sure the bars don't overlap.

Task

Swipe to start coding

Pass the correct array to the len() function.
Use the correct function to plot bars.
Use the correct variable which should be multiplied by i.
Use the correct variable as an index for answers array.
Pass the correct variable as the rightmost arguments of the plotting function.

Solution

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Section 2. Chapter 6

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Grouped Bar Charts

Another common option is a grouped bar chart, where bars for each category are placed side by side instead of stacking them.

This is useful when you want to compare categories across groups (like economic sectors in different countries), rather than within one total.

Steps to Create a Grouped Bar Chart

Set a bar width and create an array for x-axis positions using np.arange();
Combine your category data into a 2D array;
Use a for loop to draw each group of bars with the bar() function, shifting their positions horizontally;
Customize the x-axis tick positions and labels using plt.xticks().


              12345678910111213141516171819202122232425
            
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

# Labels and data
countries = ['USA', 'China', 'Japan']
positions = np.arange(len(countries))

primary = np.array([1.4, 4.8, 0.4])
secondary = np.array([11.3, 6.2, 0.8])
tertiary = np.array([14.2, 8.4, 3.2])

# Group the data
sectors = np.array([primary, secondary, tertiary])

# Width of each bar
width = 0.25

# Plot each group of bars
for i in range(len(sectors)):
    plt.bar(positions + width * i, sectors[i], width)

# Center the group of bars and label the ticks
plt.xticks(positions + width, countries)

plt.show()

How `xticks()` Works

The first argument shifts the tick marks to the center of each group of bars;
The second argument sets the labels using the countries list.

Note

This approach works for any number of categories — just adjust the width to make sure the bars don't overlap.

Task

Swipe to start coding

Pass the correct array to the len() function.
Use the correct function to plot bars.
Use the correct variable which should be multiplied by i.
Use the correct variable as an index for answers array.
Pass the correct variable as the rightmost arguments of the plotting function.

Solution

Switch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below

Everything was clear?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 2. Chapter 6

Switch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below

Grouped Bar Charts

Steps to Create a Grouped Bar Chart

How xticks() Works

Solution

Grouped Bar Charts

Steps to Create a Grouped Bar Chart

How xticks() Works

Solution

How `xticks()` Works

How `xticks()` Works