Picture Graphs
Learn
Picture graphs use pictures or symbols to show data. They are fun to read and easy to understand!
What Is a Picture Graph?
A picture graph (also called a pictograph) uses pictures or symbols to show information. Each picture stands for a certain number of things.
Parts of a Picture Graph
- Title: Tells what the graph is about
- Pictures/Symbols: Small images that represent data
- Labels: Tell what each row represents
- Key: Tells what each picture stands for
The Key Is Important!
Always look at the key first! The key tells you how much each picture is worth.
- Sometimes each picture = 1
- Sometimes each picture = 2
- Sometimes each picture = 5 or 10!
Reading a Picture Graph
To find out how many:
- Look at the key to see what each picture means
- Count the pictures in the row you want
- Multiply or add based on the key
Worked Examples
Example 1: Reading a Picture Graph (Key = 1)
Problem: Look at this picture graph of pets. Each star = 1 pet.
Dogs: * * * * * (5 stars)
Cats: * * * * (4 stars)
Fish: * * * * * * * (7 stars)
Key: * = 1 pet
How many fish are there?
Step 1: Check the key: each star = 1 pet
Step 2: Count the stars in the Fish row: 7 stars
Answer: There are 7 fish
Example 2: Picture Graph with Key = 2
Problem: Look at this graph. Each smiley = 2 students.
Walk: :) :) :) (3 smileys)
Bus: :) :) :) :) (4 smileys)
Car: :) :) (2 smileys)
Key: :) = 2 students
How many students take the bus?
Step 1: Check the key: each smiley = 2 students
Step 2: Count smileys for Bus: 4 smileys
Step 3: Multiply: 4 x 2 = 8
Answer: 8 students take the bus
Example 3: Comparing in a Picture Graph
Problem: Using the same graph, how many more students take the bus than walk?
Step 1: Bus: 4 smileys x 2 = 8 students
Step 2: Walk: 3 smileys x 2 = 6 students
Step 3: Subtract: 8 - 6 = 2
Answer: 2 more students take the bus than walk
Example 4: Finding the Total
Problem: How many students in all?
Step 1: Walk: 3 x 2 = 6
Step 2: Bus: 4 x 2 = 8
Step 3: Car: 2 x 2 = 4
Step 4: Add: 6 + 8 + 4 = 18
Answer: 18 students in all
Example 5: Making a Picture Graph
Problem: Make a picture graph for: Apples = 6, Oranges = 4, Bananas = 8. Use a key where each picture = 2.
Step 1: Figure out how many pictures: Apples = 6/2 = 3 pictures, Oranges = 4/2 = 2 pictures, Bananas = 8/2 = 4 pictures
Apples: * * *
Oranges: * *
Bananas: * * * *
Key: * = 2 fruits
Practice Problems
Use this picture graph to answer the questions:
Books Read This Month
Sara: @ @ @ @ @ (5 books)
Tom: @ @ @ (3 books)
Kim: @ @ @ @ @ @ (6 books)
Ben: @ @ @ @ (4 books)
Key: @ = 2 books
Problem 1: How many books did Sara read?
Show Answer
10 books (5 symbols x 2 = 10)
Problem 2: Who read the most books?
Show Answer
Kim (6 symbols x 2 = 12 books)
Problem 3: How many books did Tom read?
Show Answer
6 books (3 x 2 = 6)
Problem 4: How many more books did Kim read than Tom?
Show Answer
6 more books (Kim: 12, Tom: 6, 12 - 6 = 6)
Problem 5: How many books did Ben read?
Show Answer
8 books (4 x 2 = 8)
Problem 6: Who read the fewest books?
Show Answer
Tom (only 6 books)
Problem 7: How many books did all four children read together?
Show Answer
36 books (10 + 6 + 12 + 8 = 36)
Problem 8: Did Sara and Tom together read more or less than Kim?
Show Answer
More (Sara + Tom = 10 + 6 = 16, Kim = 12)
Problem 9: If each symbol equaled 1 book instead, how many books would Kim have read?
Show Answer
6 books (just count the symbols)
Problem 10: What does the key tell us?
Show Answer
The key tells us that each @ symbol stands for 2 books.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1: What is a picture graph?
Show Answer
A picture graph uses pictures or symbols to show data. Each picture represents a certain amount.
Question 2: Why is the key so important?
Show Answer
The key tells you what each picture stands for. Without the key, you would not know how much each picture is worth!
Question 3: If each star equals 5 and there are 4 stars, how many is that?
Show Answer
20 (4 x 5 = 20)
Question 4: How are picture graphs different from bar graphs?
Show Answer
Picture graphs use pictures or symbols, while bar graphs use rectangles (bars). Both show data, but they look different.
Next Steps
- Create: Make a picture graph about your favorite things
- Explore: Look for picture graphs in books and magazines
- Challenge: Make a picture graph where each picture equals 5
- Compare: Show the same data as both a picture graph and a bar graph