Pictograms
Grade 1What is a pictogram?
A pictogram uses a repeated symbol to represent data. A key tells you how many each full symbol stands for. Instead of a number on an axis, you count — or part-count — the symbols in each row.
The only catch is fractions of symbols. Half a symbol means half the key value. A quarter symbol means a quarter of the key value. The question will usually use halves — rarely anything smaller.
Reading a pictogram
EXAMPLE
A pictogram shows books sold. Each full book symbol = 4 books sold. Monday has 3 full symbols and one half symbol. How many books were sold on Monday?
3 full symbols = 3 × 4 = 12. Half symbol = 4 ÷ 2 = 2. Total = 12 + 2 = 14 books.
Completing a pictogram
EXAMPLE
The key says 1 symbol = 6 items. Wednesday had 9 items sold. How many symbols should you draw?
9 ÷ 6 = 1.5. So draw 1 full symbol and 1 half symbol. 1½ symbols.
Always divide by the key value to find how many symbols you need. If it doesn't divide exactly, draw the fraction neatly — a half or quarter of the same symbol.
Don't miss the key
The key is the most important part of a pictogram. If you misread it — say, you think each symbol means 5 when it means 10 — every single answer will be wrong. Check the key before you do anything else.
