Read Bar Graphs and Pictographs
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What you will learn
- 1Read values from bar graphs and pictographs
- 2Use a key to interpret pictograph data
Mini Lesson
Bar graphs and pictographs are two ways to display data visually. A bar graph uses bars of different heights to show quantities. A pictograph uses symbols or pictures to represent data, with a key that tells you how many each symbol stands for.
Reading a Bar Graph
- The y-axis (vertical) shows the scale — numbers from 0 upward.
- Each bar represents a category, named by the label under the bar. The height of the bar shows its value.
- To read a value, follow the top of the bar across to the y-axis.
- If a bar falls between two gridlines, estimate the value.
Reading a Pictograph
- A pictograph uses symbols (circles, stars, etc.) to represent data.
- The key tells you how many items each symbol represents.
- If the key says 1 circle = 2 kids and there are 4 circles, the total is 4 x 2 = 8 kids.
- Half a symbol represents half the key value.
Words to know
Bar graph
A chart that uses bars to show how much of each item there is
e.g. A bar graph shows how many kids picked each fruit.
Pictograph
A chart that uses pictures to stand for amounts
e.g. A pictograph uses one apple to mean two people.
Scale
The numbers on the side of a graph that show the count
e.g. The scale on this bar graph counts by 2s.
Key
A small note that tells what each picture means
e.g. The key says one cookie = 5 kids.
Title
A short name at the top of a graph
e.g. The title says "Favorite Fruits".
Label
A word that names each part of a graph
e.g. The labels under the bars are fruit names.
Always read the key of a pictograph before counting. One symbol may represent 2, 5, or 10 items — not always 1.
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