What does a bar graph's axes represent?

A bar graph's axes are essential for understanding the information it conveys. The horizontal axis typically represents the categories being compared, while the vertical axis shows their corresponding values. This structure allows viewers to easily distinguish between different categories and assess their relative sizes at a glance.

In this context, the correct choice highlights the role of the axes in demonstrating not just the distinct categories, but especially how each category quantifies its data through values. By offering a visual representation of the comparisons, the bar graph allows for effective data interpretation, making it a powerful tool for analysis.

While other options address different contexts, such as trends or percentages, they do not accurately describe the fundamental purpose of a bar graph's axes, which is to represent categories aligned with their specific quantitative values.