Pictographs and Bar Graphs

Grade 3 · Math · Study Guide

Learn to read, create, and interpret pictographs and bar graphs to represent data.

A graph is a visual way to show data so you can quickly compare information. Two common graph types in 3rd grade are pictographs and bar graphs.

A pictograph uses pictures or symbols to represent data. Each symbol stands for a certain number of things. This number is shown in the key (or legend). For example, if one smiley face = 4 votes, then 3 smiley faces = 4 × 3 = 12 votes. Always check the key first!

A bar graph uses rectangular bars to show quantities. You can read the value of each bar by looking at where its top lines up with the number scale on the side (the y-axis). Bar graphs make it easy to compare groups side by side — the tallest bar has the most, the shortest bar has the least.

Both types of graphs have a title (telling you what the graph is about), labels (naming each category), and a scale (showing the numbers). When reading a graph, always start by reading the title and labels so you know what the data is about.

Key terms

Pictograph

A graph that uses pictures or symbols to represent data.

Bar graph

A graph that uses rectangular bars to compare data across categories.

Key (legend)

Explains what each symbol or color in a graph represents.

Scale

The numbering system on a graph axis that shows the value of each unit.

Data

Collected information or facts, often in the form of numbers.

Flashcards

Pictograph

A graph using pictures to show data. Each picture = a set number.

Bar graph

A graph using bars to compare data across categories.

Key / legend

Shows what each picture or color means in a graph.

Scale

The number line on the side of a bar graph.

Reading a pictograph

Count symbols × key value = total.

Reading a bar graph

Find the top of the bar and read across to the scale.

Practice questions

1. In a pictograph, each apple symbol = 3 students. If there are 5 apple symbols, how many students does that represent?

   1. 8
   2. 12
   3. 15
   4. 18
   Show answer

   Answer: 15

   5 symbols × 3 students each = 15 students.

2. The key in a pictograph tells you what each symbol represents.

   Show answer

   Answer: True

   The key (legend) defines what each symbol is worth in a pictograph.

3. In a bar graph, the ___ shows you what number each bar reaches.

   Show answer

   Answer: scale

   The scale (y-axis numbering) lets you read the exact value of each bar.

4. A bar graph shows: Dogs=8, Cats=12, Fish=5. Which pet is most popular?

   1. Dogs
   2. Cats
   3. Fish
   4. Cannot tell
   Show answer

   Answer: Cats

   Cats have 12, which is the highest value shown. The tallest bar = most popular.

5. In a pictograph, each star = 4 votes. A candidate has 3.5 stars. How many votes is that?

   1. 12
   2. 14
   3. 16
   4. 10
   Show answer

   Answer: 14

   3 full stars = 3 × 4 = 12 votes. Half a star = 4 ÷ 2 = 2 more votes. Total: 14 votes.

Fun facts

• Florence Nightingale, the famous nurse, invented a special circular graph in 1858 to show hospital death data — and it convinced the British government to improve hospital conditions!
• The first bar chart was created by William Playfair in 1786 to show the imports and exports of Scotland. Before that, most data was shown only in tables.

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