Interpret bar graphs

key notes:

What is a Bar Graph?

  • A bar graph is a way to show data using rectangles (bars).
  • Each bar shows how much or how many.
  • Bars can be vertical ⬆️ or horizontal ➡️.

Parts of a Bar Graph 📝

  • Title 🎯 – tells what the graph is about.
  • X-axis (Horizontal) ➡️ – shows the categories.
  • Y-axis (Vertical) ⬆️ – shows the numbers or amount.
  • Bars ▇ – show the value for each category.

Reading a Bar Graph 👀

  • Look at the title to know the topic.
  • Check the X-axis to see the categories.
  • Check the Y-axis to see the numbers.
  • See how tall or long the bar is – taller/longer means more.

Comparing Data 🔍

You can compare bars to see which is largest or smallest.

Ask questions like:

  • Which category has the most? 🏆
  • Which category has the least? 🥉
  • How much more is one bar than another? ➕

Drawing a Bar Graph ✏️

  • Draw X-axis and Y-axis.
  • Write the categories along the X-axis.
  • Write the numbers along the Y-axis.
  • Draw bars up to the correct number.

Tips 💡

  • Always label your axes.
  • Make sure bars are evenly spaced.
  • Use different colors 🌈 for each bar to make it easy to read.
  • Check your graph to make sure it matches the data. ✅

Learn with an example

Look at this bar graph:

Which table shows the same data?

First, read the data off the graph.

Look at the first table:

The first table is incorrect. The value in the lime row and the boys column is incorrect.

Look at the second table:

The second table is correct. It shows the same data as the graph.

🏫 A real estate agent tracked the number of homes recently sold in each of the nearby cities she served.

Cities

🏫 How many homes were sold in Melville in 2009?

____ homes

  • First, find the two bars for Melville. One bar represents 2008 and the other bar represents 2009. Find the bar for 2009. Read the number where the bar stops.
  • The bar stops at 50. 50 homes were sold in Melville in 2009.

🏫 Roy, a park ranger, recorded the number of each type of tree in the Crawford County Park District.

Parks

Are there more cherry trees in Goose Park or Adams Park?

  • Goose Park
  • Adams Park
  • Find the bars for Goose Park and Adams Park. In each pair of bars, one bar represents pine trees and the other bar represents cherry trees. Find the bar in each pair for cherry trees.
  • The bar for Goose Park is taller. There are more cherry trees in Goose Park.

Let’s practice!🖊️