Pictographs

A Pictograph is a way of showing data using images.

Each image stands for a certain number of things.

Example: Apples Sold

Here is a pictograph of how many apples were sold at the local shop over 4 months:

Pictograph of Apples

Note that each picture of an apple means 10 apples (and the half-apple picture means 5 apples).

So the pictograph is showing:

  • In January 10 apples were sold
  • In February 40 apples were sold
  • In March 25 apples were sold
  • In April 20 apples were sold

It is a fun and interesting way to show data.

But it is not very accurate: in the example above we can't show just 1 apple sold, or 2 apples sold etc.

Pictographs can also be vertical, like this:

Example: Games Played

Four friends play a lot of tennis. Here is how many games they played this year:

Pictograph of Tennis Games

Each tennis ball means 20 games played. A tennis ball can be cut to show part of 20.

So the pictograph is showing:

  • John played 40 games
  • Sam played 45 games
  • Mary played 90 games
  • Alex played 55 games

Can you see that Alex played 55 games?

 

Why don't you try to make your own pictographs? Here are a few ideas:

Have fun making pictures for each!

 

1279, 1282, 1286, 685, 1433, 1434, 1435, 2154, 2155, 6922