> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://vikram-bajaj.gitbook.io/cs-gy-6313-information-visualization/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://vikram-bajaj.gitbook.io/cs-gy-6313-information-visualization/why-use-a-graphical-representation.md).

# Why Use a Graphical Representation?

There are three main ways to communicate data:

* verbally
* numerically
* graphically

The human brain is extremely good at processing visual information.

When it comes to verbal communication, the receiver of the information is forced to process it sequentially. This is very different from information that is conveyed graphically, in that we can process the information in a parallel fashion. Numerically represented information, on the other hand, is difficult to process.