Matplotlib Cumulative vs Period Values

Read the Two Values Separately

Start with four per-period values: Mon is 2, Tue is 3, Wed is 1, and Thu is 4. The cumulative value adds each period to everything before it. By Thu, the running total is 10. Do not read the latest cumulative point as the latest period value. Thu adds 4, while the Thu cumulative total is 10.

A tiny chart-reading step: read cumulative values separately from per-period values before making a claim.

highlighted = computed this step

Start with per-period values

Start with 4 pinned per-period values.

\text{per-period values}

Build the cumulative total

Add each period to the running total to make cumulative values.

\text{running total}

Read period and cumulative panels

Read period bars separately from the cumulative line.

\text{period versus cumulative}

Keep the claims separate

Thu period value is 4, while Thu cumulative value is 10.

\text{separate readouts}