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Mixed Graphs (Bar + Line / Table + Pie)

Introduction

Mixed-graph questions combine two different data displays - commonly a bar chart with a line chart or a table paired with a pie chart. These are used to compare absolute values (bars / table) with rates or percentages (line / pie) in the same problem.

This pattern is important because real-world data often shows counts and rates together (e.g., sales volume vs. profit margin). You must read both displays, link the datasets correctly, and perform the required calculations.

Pattern: Mixed Graphs (Bar + Line / Table + Pie)

Pattern

Key concept: Extract values separately from each display (bar/table → absolute; line/pie → percentage or trend), then combine using appropriate formulas (percentage of total, ratio, difference, or derived value).

Common steps:
1. Read absolute numbers from bar/table.
2. Read percentages/trends from line/pie.
3. Apply formula: Value = (percent × base) ÷ 100, or combine volumes and rates to get derived amounts (e.g., profit = sales × profit%).

Step-by-Step Example

Question

The chart below is a combined bar (sales in ₹ lakhs) and line (profit %). The table shows Discounts (₹ lakhs) given in the same years.
Find: (a) Profit amount (in ₹ lakhs) for 2023, and (b) Net revenue after discount for 2023 (Sales - Discount).

YearDiscount (₹ lakhs)
202110
202212
202320

Given: Sales 2023 = ₹200 lakhs; Profit% 2023 = 15%; Discount 2023 = ₹20 lakhs.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the base values

    Sales = 200 lakhs; Profit% = 15%; Discount = 20 lakhs.

  2. Step 2: Apply percentage formula

    Profit = (15 × 200) ÷ 100

  3. Step 3: Compute profit amount

    Profit = 30 lakhs.

  4. Step 4: Compute net revenue

    Net revenue = 200 - 20 = 180 lakhs.

  5. Final Answer:

    Profit = ₹30 lakhs; Net revenue = ₹180 lakhs.

  6. Quick Check:

    15% of 200 = 30; 200-20 = 180 - both match correctly.

Quick Variations

1. Bar + line → derive amounts (profit, tax, commission).

2. Table + pie → convert pie% into actual values using table total.

3. Clustered bar + line → compare across categories + rate trends.

4. Missing data → use totals from one graph, percentages from another.

Trick to Always Use

  • Step 1: Read values from both displays separately before combining.
  • Step 2: Convert percentages last and apply them to the correct base value.
  • Step 3: Keep all numbers in the same units (₹, lakhs, thousands).

Summary

Summary

  • Extract absolute values (bars/tables) and rate values (line/pie) separately.
  • Use Value = (percent × base) ÷ 100 for conversions.
  • Check & standardize units before combining results.
  • Quick re-computation prevents small arithmetic errors.

Practice

(1/5)
1.

The following mixed chart shows Sales (in ₹ lakh) as bars and Profit % as a line for three years. Find the Profit amount in 2023.

Data (readable): Sales (₹ lakh) - 2021: 100; 2022: 140; 2023: 180. Profit% - 2021: 10%; 2022: 12%; 2023: 15%.

easy
A. ₹27 lakh
B. ₹25 lakh
C. ₹24 lakh
D. ₹30 lakh

Solution

  1. Step 1: Read the base values:

    Sales (2023) = ₹180 lakh; Profit% (2023) = 15%.

  2. Step 2: Apply percentage formula:

    Profit = (Profit% × Sales) ÷ 100 = (15 × 180) ÷ 100.

  3. Step 3: Compute:

    Profit = 2700 ÷ 100 = ₹27 lakh.

  4. Final Answer:

    ₹27 lakh → Option A.

  5. Quick Check:

    0.15 × 180 = 27 ✅

Hint: Multiply sales by (profit% ÷ 100).
Common Mistakes: Using wrong year's sales or forgetting to divide by 100.
2.

The mixed visual below shows Annual Sales (bars, in ₹ 000) and Expense % (line) for three years. Find the average expense % over the three years.

Data (readable): Expense% - 2020: 20%; 2021: 25%; 2022: 30% (sales shown for context in ₹ 000).

easy
A. 22%
B. 25%
C. 27%
D. 28%

Solution

  1. Step 1: List expense percentages:

    20%, 25%, 30%.

  2. Step 2: Compute simple average:

    Average = (20 + 25 + 30) ÷ 3 = 75 ÷ 3 = 25%.

  3. Final Answer:

    25% → Option B.

  4. Quick Check:

    Values centre around 25% → average 25% ✅

Hint: For equally weighted periods, average = sum ÷ count.
Common Mistakes: Using weighted average without weights or dividing by wrong count.
3.

The table shows the city's annual budget and the pie chart shows departmental shares. Total budget = ₹800 lakh. Find the R&D allocation if the pie slice indicates 25% for R&D.

Data (readable): Total budget = ₹800 lakh; R&D = 25% of total.

ItemValue
Total Budget₹800 lakh
easy
A. ₹150 lakh
B. ₹175 lakh
C. ₹200 lakh
D. ₹250 lakh

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify total and percentage:

    Total budget = ₹800 lakh; R&D share = 25%.

  2. Step 2: Apply percentage formula:

    Allocation = (25 × 800) ÷ 100 = 200.

  3. Final Answer:

    ₹200 lakh → Option C.

  4. Quick Check:

    25% of 800 = 0.25 × 800 = 200 ✅

Hint: Multiply total by (percentage ÷ 100) to get the share.
Common Mistakes: Forgetting the unit (lakh) or misplacing decimal.
4.

The mixed visual shows Sales (bars, in ₹ lakh) for Companies A & B and the Profit % (line) for each in 2022. Which company earned the higher profit amount in 2022?

Data (readable): A → Sales ₹150 lakh, Profit% = 12%; B → Sales ₹140 lakh, Profit% = 10%.

medium
A. A
B. B
C. Equal
D. Cannot be determined

Solution

  1. Step 1: Compute A’s profit:

    A profit = 12% of 150 = (12 × 150) ÷ 100 = 18 (₹ lakh).

  2. Step 2: Compute B’s profit:

    B profit = 10% of 140 = (10 × 140) ÷ 100 = 14 (₹ lakh).

  3. Step 3: Compare amounts:

    18 > 14 → Company A earned higher profit.

  4. Final Answer:

    A → Option A.

  5. Quick Check:

    12% of 150 = 18; 10% of 140 = 14 ✅

Hint: Compute (profit% × sales) ÷ 100 for each firm, then compare.
Common Mistakes: Comparing percentages alone without applying to sales base.
5.

The table shows annual sales (₹ lakh) for four products and the pie chart shows profit-share (%) by product. Total company profit = ₹80 lakh. Find the profit of Product C.

Data (readable): Total profit = ₹80 lakh; Product C share = 20% (as shown in pie).

ProductSales (₹ lakh)
A100
B120
C80
D60
medium
A. ₹10 lakh
B. ₹12 lakh
C. ₹14 lakh
D. ₹16 lakh

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify total profit and C’s percent:

    Total profit = ₹80 lakh; C’s share = 20%.

  2. Step 2: Apply percentage formula:

    Profit for C = (20 × 80) ÷ 100 = 1600 ÷ 100 = ₹16 lakh.

  3. Final Answer:

    ₹16 lakh → Option D.

  4. Quick Check:

    0.20 × 80 = 16 ✅

Hint: Multiply total profit by (percentage ÷ 100) to get allocation.
Common Mistakes: Applying percentage to sales instead of to the given total profit base.

Mock Test

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