One-step question
Which day had the most books read?
Slide the chart sideways to see all of it.
| Day | Books read |
|---|---|
| Mon | 4 |
| Tue | 6 |
| Wed | 2 |
Find the tallest bar first, then read its value from the scale.
Year 3
Solve one-step and two-step questions using information presented in scaled bar charts, pictograms and tables
Answer comparison and total questions by reading tables, pictograms and scaled bar charts carefully.
Lesson overview
Statistics
Some data questions ask for one step, such as finding the greatest value. Others need two steps, such as combining values or finding the difference. A scaled chart means each step on the chart may stand for more than one.
Two-step question
How many books were read on Monday and Tuesday altogether?
| Day | Books |
|---|---|
| Monday | 4 |
| Tuesday | 6 |
| Wednesday | 2 |
Read both values, then add them.
Scaled pictogram
If each symbol stands for 2 children, 3 symbols mean 6 children.
Key: each dot = 2 children
| Category | Symbols |
|---|---|
| Football | 3 |
| Dance | 2 |
| Chess | 4 |
Use the key before answering the question.
Worked example
A pictogram shows 4 symbols for chess, and each symbol stands for 2 children. How many children chose chess?
Key: each dot = 2 children
| Category | Symbols |
|---|---|
| Chess | 4 |
- Find the number of symbols for chess.
- There are 4 symbols.
- Each symbol stands for 2 children, so multiply 4 by 2.
- 4 × 2 = 8, so 8 children chose chess.
Try it
Read the labels, then the key or scale, and decide whether you need one step or two steps.
Question 1
In the scaled pictogram, how many children chose dance?
Key: each dot = 2 children
| Category | Symbols |
|---|---|
| Football | 3 |
| Dance | 2 |
| Chess | 4 |
Question 2
How many books were read on Monday and Wednesday altogether?
| Day | Books |
|---|---|
| Monday | 4 |
| Tuesday | 6 |
| Wednesday | 2 |
Question 3
Which day had the most books read?
Slide the chart sideways to see all of it.
| Day | Books read |
|---|---|
| Monday | 4 |
| Tuesday | 6 |
| Wednesday | 2 |
Question 4
How many children chose football if there are 3 symbols and each symbol stands for 2 children?
Key: each dot = 2 children
| Category | Symbols |
|---|---|
| Football | 3 |
Question 5
Which statement is correct?
Common mistakes
Watch for these when working through the lesson.
- Forgetting to use the scale on the chart.
- Counting pictogram symbols as ones when the key says otherwise.
- Answering only part of a two-step question.
Related topics
These ideas fit closely with this lesson.
- Interpret and present data using bar charts, pictograms and tables.
- Add and subtract numbers mentally, including a three-digit number and ones, tens and hundreds.