Bar Charts and Pictograms in Depth
Bar charts and pictograms are ways of displaying categorical or discrete data visually so it can be compared at a glance. A bar chart uses bars of different heights against a labelled, evenly-scaled axis, while a pictogram uses repeated pictures or symbols, where each symbol (and often a half symbol) stands for a fixed number of items shown in a key. 11+ papers test reading exact and estimated values from both, working out totals and differences, and sometimes completing a chart from given data.
Before you start
No specific prerequisites - this is a good place to start.
Method
- Before reading any values, check the scale on the bar chart's axis (what each gridline is worth) or the key on the pictogram (what one full symbol represents).
- For a bar chart, read the height of each bar against the axis carefully, especially when it falls between two labelled gridlines.
- For a pictogram, multiply the number of full symbols by the value of one symbol, then add the value of any half or partial symbol shown in the key.
- To find a total, add the values for every category; to find a difference, subtract the smaller value from the larger one.
- When asked to complete or draw part of a chart, calculate the missing value first from any given totals, then draw bars or symbols to the correct scale.
- Always give the units stated in the question, such as 'number of pupils' or 'pounds', in your final answer.
Worked example
A pictogram shows the number of books read by four classes. The key states that one full book symbol represents 4 books. Class A shows 3 symbols, Class B shows 2 and a half symbols, Class C shows 5 symbols, and Class D shows 1 and a half symbols. How many books did all four classes read in total?
- Class A: 3 symbols x 4 books = 12 books.
- Class B: 2 and a half symbols = (2 x 4) + (0.5 x 4) = 8 + 2 = 10 books.
- Class C: 5 symbols x 4 books = 20 books.
- Class D: 1 and a half symbols = (1 x 4) + (0.5 x 4) = 4 + 2 = 6 books.
- Add all four totals: 12 + 10 + 20 + 6 = 48 books.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1A bar chart shows that 15 pupils chose football as their favourite sport. If each gridline on the axis represents 5 pupils, how many gridlines up is the football bar?Show answer
Answer: 3 gridlines
Q2A pictogram key shows that one symbol represents 10 pupils. A row shows 4 full symbols and no half symbol. How many pupils does this represent?Show answer
Answer: 40 pupils
Q3In a bar chart, the tallest bar shows 24 and the shortest shows 9. What is the difference between them?Show answer
Answer: 15
Q4A pictogram key states that one symbol represents 6 cars, and a half symbol represents 3 cars. A row shows 2 full symbols and a half symbol. How many cars does this represent?Show answer
Answer: 15 cars (2 x 6 = 12, plus 3 = 15)
Q5A bar chart shows the number of pets owned by pupils: cats 8, dogs 12, fish 5, rabbits 3. How many pupils in total own one of these pets?Show answer
Answer: 28
Q6Using the same data (cats 8, dogs 12, fish 5, rabbits 3), how many more pupils own a dog than a rabbit?Show answer
Answer: 9
Q7A pictogram uses a whole symbol to represent 8 books and shows 3 and a quarter symbols for one class. How many books does this row represent?Show answer
Answer: 26 books (3 x 8 = 24, plus a quarter of 8 = 2, giving 26)
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
A pictogram shows the number of goals scored by five football teams over a season. The key states that one full ball symbol represents 6 goals. Team P shows 4 symbols, Team Q shows 2 and a half symbols, Team R shows 3 symbols, Team S shows 1 symbol, and Team T shows 4 and a half symbols. (a) How many goals did Team Q score? (b) Which team scored the most goals, and how many did they score?
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 4 available
A bar chart shows the number of pupils in four clubs, but the bar for the Art club is missing. The total number of pupils across all four clubs is 90. The chart shows Chess club has 22 pupils, Drama club has 18 pupils, and Choir has 25 pupils. (a) Work out how many pupils are in the Art club. (b) The bar chart's vertical axis has gridlines every 5 pupils. Work out how many gridlines high the Art club's bar should be drawn.
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Nothing ticked yet - 5 available
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the bar charts and pictograms in depth worksheet pack - 8 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
This topic is chapter 23 of 11+ Maths Workbook 3, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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