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truncated_axis
Truncated axis manipulation involves starting a graph's y-axis at a value other than zero (or using a non-linear scale) to exaggerate or minimize differences between data points. A small change of 1-2% can be made to look dramatic by starting the axis at 98%, or a large change can be hidden by compressing the scale. This exploits the visual processing system, which interprets the physical height of bars or lines as proportional to magnitude.
A news channel shows a bar chart of unemployment rates: 7.8% vs 8.1%. By starting the y-axis at 7.5%, the bar for 8.1% appears more than twice as tall as the bar for 7.8%, making a 0.3 percentage point change look like a dramatic spike.
A fitness app's promotional graphic shows user weight loss over 8 weeks. The y-axis starts at 180 lbs instead of 0, making a drop from 192 lbs to 187 lbs look like participants lost nearly half their body weight visually.
A company's quarterly earnings report chart displays revenue from $98M to $103M on the y-axis. A modest $2M increase appears as a dramatic near-doubling of the bar height, impressing investors with what is actually a 2% growth.
Binary (yes/no) questions an LLM must answer to identify this aspect:
Does the y-axis (or x-axis) start at a value other than zero?
Type: binaryDoes the visual impression of the graph match the actual magnitude of the differences?
Type: binaryIs the axis scale disclosed and justified?
Type: binaryWould the pattern look different if the full scale were shown?
Type: binaryTruncated axis manipulation involves starting a graph's y-axis at a value other than zero (or using a non-linear scale) to exaggerate or minimize differences between data points. A small change of 1-2% can be made to look dramatic by starting the axis at 98%, or a large change can be hidden by compressing the scale. This exploits the visual processing system, which interprets the physical height of bars or lines as proportional to magnitude.
Humans process visual information faster than numerical information. The brain interprets the relative heights of bars or slopes of lines instinctively, before the conscious mind checks the axis labels.
Always check the y-axis starting point and scale intervals on any graph. Mentally re-draw the chart with a zero baseline to assess the actual proportional difference.
Truncated axes are common in political campaign materials, corporate earnings presentations, and sensationalist media coverage of economic indicators.
Use these tools to detect, analyze, or train this aspect.