Questions: Describe what is misleading in the following visual display of data.

Describe what is misleading in the following visual display of data.
Transcript text: Describe what is misleading in the following visual display of data.
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Solution

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Solution Steps

Step 1: Analyze the visual elements of the graph

The graph uses images of characters/actors superimposed on bars. The images vary in size and pose, creating a distracting visual effect.

Step 2: Assess the scaling of the graph

The y-axis starts at $20 million, not $0, slightly exaggerating the differences between some of the lower-grossing films. The increments on the y-axis are also inconsistent, jumping from increments of 20 million to increments of 40 million near the top.

Step 3: Consider the overall effect of these elements

The combination of varying image sizes and the manipulated y-axis creates a misleading impression of the relative box office success of these films. For example, _Rent_ appears much less successful than _The Phantom of the Opera_ due to the smaller image size and lower bar height, even though the difference is not so significant given the y-axis.

Final Answer:

The misleading aspects of the visual display are the inconsistent y-axis scaling and the use of varying image sizes, which distort the perception of the relative box office receipts of the films.

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