A chart is just a picture of prices. A picture that changes wildly with a few toggles — log vs. linear, time range, dividends on or off. Before you dive into a quiz, make it a habit to check the axes and the scale.
Four classic traps
- Non-zero-baseline Y axis. A $10k pay gap starting the axis at $90k looks huge; starting at $0 it looks tiny. Same data, very different story.
- Log scales. Log scales help over multi-decade views. On a six-month chart, a log scale is usually there for drama.
- Adjusted vs. nominal prices. Split- and dividend-adjusted closes differ from raw closes — both are labeled "close."
- Time-axis distortion. Including or excluding weekends, or plotting irregular points as if they were uniform, reshapes the curve.
Chart-Quiz checklist
- When does the visible range start and end?
- Linear or log axis?
- Currency unit (USD? KRW? adjusted price?)
- If the shape looks dramatic — is it scale, or is it real volatility?
- Does this shape resemble a famous pattern you already know (bubble, slow grind, V-shape)?
Limits of the PriceGuess Chart Quiz
The Chart Quiz on this site uses simplified demo charts inspired by public historical price paths. We hide exact dates and absolute prices partly for difficulty, and partly so nobody uses these charts as actual trading research. For serious analysis go to regulated brokers, exchange data, or SEC filings.