How_To_Be_Good_At_Math

282 STATISTICS •^ PICTOGRAMS

Pictograms

In a pictogram, or pictograph, small pictures or symbols are

used to represent data. To divide the data into groups, the

pictures are usually placed in columns or rows.

The set of data shown in the

pictogram is all the birds seen.

Each type of bird is a subset of this

larger set. For example, there is one

subset for blackbirds.

Let’s look at this simple pictogram.

It shows the results of a survey of

the types and numbers of birds seen

by children at a primary school.

A pictogram must have a key

to explain what one symbol or

picture stands for. Here, the key shows

that one symbol means 1 bird spotted.

Count the symbols in a column to

find out how many birds of that

type the children saw. This is the

frequency of the subset. For example,

the frequency of blackbirds is three.

Always give your pictogram a title

Children saw

more starlings

than robins

There are six

symbols, so

children saw

six pigeons

Choose an

appropriate

symbol to

represent

your data

Robin Sparrow Pigeon Starling Greenfinch

Birds spotted by pupils at Maths Town Primary school

1 bird

spotted

KEY

Blackbird

In a pictogram, pictures

stand for numbers.

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