A line chart is a graphical representation that plots ordered data points along a coordinate axis and connects them with line segments to reveal trends, patterns, and changes across a continuous dimension, typically time. The persistence mechanism is visual rendering — the line chart persists as a visual encoding where the connecting line itself carries the interpolation between measured points. [formal: graphus linearis | substrate: mind | horizon: hours | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.41]
Accepted ontology entry
line chart
A line chart is a graphical representation that plots ordered data points along a coordinate axis and connects them with line segments to reveal trends, patterns, and changes across a continuous dimension, typically time. The persistence m…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made visual construct that connects sequential data points with lines along one or more axes to display trends, changes over time, and continuous variation. Built to persist through standardization in data presentation and scientific reporting.
Names and aliases
- line charten · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrwtg97a01absoac34g3i9jmINSTANCE_OF →
Line chart displays data as connected points on axes — a specific kind of graph. Specific→general per Law 9.
- cmrxqh5nw03vksoac1tgfpgi9INSTANCE_OF →
A line chart IS a specific kind of chart — it displays quantitative data using a series of data points connected by straight line segments. Specific→general INSTANCE_OF against the nearest kind (chart). The epoch tie (0.31 vs 0.31) does not change the kind relationship.
Relations to this entry
- cmrx56xcj02c3soacz2doc5ly← INSTANCE_OF
Tested INSTANCE_OF: a bump chart IS a specific kind of line chart. It displays the relative rankings of items across ordered categories (usually time) using connected lines. A competent speaker would call a bump chart a type of line chart.
- cmsd4ewno03gq3vv31988l2ce← INSTANCE_OF
Slope graph IS a specific kind of line chart: it shows change between two time points using simple line segments connecting values. A competent speaker would call a slope graph a type of line chart. Specific→general.
- cmrxflow8034osoaczatqynw8← INSTANCE_OF
A sparkline IS a specific kind of line chart: a compact line visualization without axes or labels. A competent speaker would call a sparkline a type of line chart.
- cmrxbhviq02ujsoacy3am6cfj← INSTANCE_OF
A ridgeline (joy) plot is a specific kind of line chart where multiple lines are overlaid with filled areas to show distributions. A competent speaker calls it 'a kind of line chart.' Per Law 9, specific→general.
- cmsedkdg7058h3vv3d3fmqxd8← INSTANCE_OF
An elbow plot IS a specific kind of line chart.
Record identity
- Created
- Jul 23, 2026, 1:21 AM UTC
- Content hash
- 92fe54b58efcb0c090988d08c4c0ec9e18578dc5d6b9c64a284bb08b10f684ca