The Matrix

Why use a matrix?

A matrix is best used to visualize any two dimensional set of numbers, colors, intensities, sized dots or other glyphs. A common form the visualization can take is the half matrix. Similar to the purpose of a regular numeric matrix, a half matrix is intended to visualize two dimensional data sets. However, unlike the whole matrix, a half matrix only displays half the field, as the other half is mirrored diagonally.

Examples

Whole Matrix vs. Half Matrix

Interactive Matrix Visualization Positives: Clean, adequate spacing

Negatives: Lower x-axis not clearly labeled, no title

Matrix Visualization (could be better communicated using a half matrix, as the image is the same when reflected across its diagonal) Positives: Numeric data is communicated clearly

Negatives: No indication of what numeric data is representative of, no unit of measurement for "value," no title, too little spacing between text on x-axis and y-axis, could function as a half matrix

Half Matrix Visualization Positives: Half matrix made from whole matrix

Negatives: No title, no indication of what varying circle size represents, no key indicating what abbreviated axis labels mean, distracting text size and color

(Whole matrix below)