Bar charts · Usually met around P3
Reading bar charts
First see what one square stands for.
How to do it
Method
First see what one square stands for
A square stands for 2 and the bar is 5 squares: 5 × 2 = 10
Another way
Read across from the top
The top is level with 10
In full
A bar chart shows amounts by the heights of its bars: the things are along the bottom and the amounts up the side. First see what one square stands for on the side: the gap between neighbouring numbers (1, 2, 5 or 10). The number level with the top of a bar is that thing's amount; a top halfway between two lines is halfway between their numbers. Or count how many squares tall the bar is and multiply by what a square stands for. The tallest bar is the most and the shortest the least; take away for how many more, add for how many altogether.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
Look at the bar chart. How many 🍎 are there?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 10
The top of the 🍎 bar is level with 10.
Example 2
Look at the bar chart. Which is the most?
- A. 🐱
- B. 🐰
- C. 🐶
- D. 🍪
Choose the right answer
Show the answer and working
Answer: A. 🐱
The tallest bar is the most: 🐱.
Example 3
Look at the bar chart. How many are there altogether?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 50
Add up the four bars: 50.
Practise it in the game →Bar charts · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download