Cex parameter in base R-FAQs

What does cex stand for in R?

cex stands for “character expansion.” It is used to control the size of text, points, and other plot elements in R.

How do you change the size of the main title in a plot?

Use the cex.main parameter within the plot() function. For example, plot(x, y, main = “Title”, cex.main = 2) increases the main title size.

Can cex be used to resize points in a scatter plot?

Yes, the cex parameter directly changes the size of points in a scatter plot. For example, plot(x, y, cex = 1.3) makes the points larger.

How can axis labels be resized using cex?

Use the cex.lab parameter to resize axis labels. For example, plot(x, y, xlab = “X-axis”, ylab = “Y-axis”, cex.lab = 1.5) increases the axis label size.

Is it possible to change the size of axis tick labels?

Yes, the cex.axis parameter adjusts the size of axis tick labels. For example, plot(x, y, cex.axis = 1.2) makes the tick labels larger.

How do you add text annotations with custom sizes?

Use the text() function with the cex parameter. For example, text(x, y, “Annotation”, cex = 1.5) adds a text annotation with a larger size.

How can the size of legend text be adjusted?

Use the cex parameter within the legend() function. For example, legend(“topright”, legend = “Data”, cex = 1.2) increases the legend text size.

What happens if cex is set to a value less than 1?

Setting cex to a value less than 1 reduces the size of the plot elements proportionally.

Data visualization is a crucial aspect of data analysis and interpretation. In R, base graphics provide a powerful framework for creating various types of plots. One key aspect of customizing plots is controlling the size of plot elements such as text, points, and lines. The cex parameter in base R plays a significant role in adjusting these plot elements, offering flexibility and customization options to users.