Which type of chart is best suited for displaying trends over a time series?

A line chart is particularly well-suited for displaying trends over a time series because it effectively illustrates changes in data points over intervals of time. By connecting individual data points with lines, this chart allows viewers to easily observe upward or downward trends, fluctuations, and the overall direction of the data over a specified period.

The use of a line chart is ideal for visualizing continuous data, as it clearly depicts relationships in a way that can convey significant insights about performance, patterns, and forecasts. This makes it incredibly useful in various fields such as finance, economics, and project management, where understanding trends over time is crucial for decision-making.

In contrast to the line chart, a Pareto chart is designed to highlight the most significant factors in a dataset, often related to quality control, but not specifically for showing trends. A bar chart displays categorical data and is more effective for comparing discrete categories rather than illustrating continuous change over time. Similarly, a stacked chart aggregates different data series within a single category and might obscure individual trends, making it less effective for analyzing time-related trends directly.