Which type of graph is most effective for illustrating general trends in the data?

A line graph is particularly effective for illustrating general trends in data over a continuous range, such as time. This type of graph displays information as a series of data points connected by straight line segments, making it easy to visualize how values change over intervals and to identify patterns or trends over time. The clear representation of upward or downward movements facilitates quick understanding of the relationship between the variables, allowing viewers to observe trends at a glance.

In contrast, while pie charts are great for showing proportions of a whole, they do not effectively convey changes over time. Bar graphs can show comparisons between distinct categories but may not clearly highlight trends over periods. Histograms are useful for understanding the distribution of data points in certain ranges, often used in statistics, but they also lack the clarity needed to display temporal trends effectively.