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Scales, Axes, and Walls

Tree Map Chart

A ternary chart (also known as a ternary plot or triangle plot), is a type of chart that shows how three variables that sum to a constant relate to each other. It is often used in fields like chemistry, geology, and economics to represent the composition of a mixture or the relative proportions of three components to each other. A fourth and fifth dimension can be added to the data by color coding the ternary points according to a gradient or discrete palette and by setting the point sizes in the case of a ternary bubble chart.

Sample Table Format

SampleSand(%)Silt(%)Clay(%)
A 70 20 10
B 40 40 20
C 10 60 30
... ... ... ...
Description
Sample ID: Identifies each soil sample. Sand (%): The percentage of sand in the sample. Silt (%): The percentage of silt in the sample. Clay (%): The percentage of clay in the sample.

The table below compares soil compositions by their ingredients. Note that the data implies that the percentages of each component sum to 100%, which is a prerequisite for using Ternary charts.

Best Practices for Using Ternary Charts

  • Appropriate Data: Ternary charts are only suitable when the data involves three components that sum to a constant value (e.g., percentages adding up to 100%). If the data does not match these requirements then you should use a different charting type.
  • Maintain Aspect: Ensure the ternary plot maintains an equilateral triangle shape so that distances and angles represent proportions accurately.
  • Use color wisely: Color can be a powerful tool for highlighting trends or patterns within the data, but it can also be overwhelming if misused. Use color sparingly and ensure that each color has a clear meaning
  • Provide context: Always provide context for your chart by including a title, axis labels, and a legend. This will help users understand what they are looking at and interpret the data correctly.