Choose the best type of graph

key notes:

1️⃣ Bar Graph 📊

  • Shows comparison between different groups.
  • Use when you have categories like fruits, animals, or students’ favorite colors.
  • Bars can be vertical or horizontal.
  • Example: Favorite ice cream flavors 🍦 (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry).

2️⃣ Line Graph 📈

  • Shows changes over time.
  • Use when you want to see trends (increasing or decreasing).
  • Points are connected by a line.
  • Example: Temperature 🌡️ over a week.

3️⃣ Pie Chart 🥧

  • Shows parts of a whole.
  • Use when you want to show percentages or fractions.
  • The circle is divided into slices 🟦🟧🟪.
  • Example: Time spent on activities in a day ⏰ (sleeping, studying, playing).

4️⃣ Pictograph 🖼️

  • Uses pictures or symbols to show data.
  • Each picture represents a certain number of items.
  • Easy and fun to understand!
  • Example: Number of pets 🐶🐱 owned by students.

5️⃣ Tips to Choose the Best Graph 💡

Ask yourself:

  • Is it comparing categories? → Bar Graph
  • Is it showing trends over time? → Line Graph
  • Is it showing parts of a whole? → Pie Chart
  • Is it showing numbers with pictures? → Pictograph

Always label the graph clearly 🏷️.

Use different colors 🌈 to make it easy to read.

Learn with an example

1) Which type of graph would best show the number of sit-ups each fourth-grade student can do?

  • stem-and-leaf plot
  • bar graph
  • pictograph
  • The best type of graph to show the number of sit-ups each fourth-grade student can do is a stem-and-leaf plot. It shows the numbers in a large data set arranged by place value. Example:
Points per game
 Stem  Leaf 
0    
1     0 1 2 2 4 9 9
2     2 9
3     0 1 2
4     0 4
5     2 2 4 6
6     1 1 1 1 4 8
  • The other types of graphs are not as good.

A bar graph compares two or more values. Example:

Class size

Number of students
  • A pictograph compares two or more values that are multiples of a number. Example:
Reading competition results
Zachary
Alexis
Gina
Brandon
Each= 2 books

2) Which type of graph would best show the number of flowers planted at each school in the state?

  • bar graph
  • stem-and-leaf plot
  • pictograph
  • The best type of graph to show the number of flowers planted at each school in the state is a stem-and-leaf plot. It shows the numbers in a large data set arranged by place value. Example:
Participants per race
 Stem  Leaf 
11     1
12     5
13    
14     3
15    
16    
17     0 5
18     2 3 7
  • The other types of graphs are not as good.
  • A bar graph compares two or more values. Example:
  • A pictograph compares two or more values that are multiples of a number. Example:
Kilometres run
Carmen
Emmy
Zane
Wesley
Each= 5 kilometres

3) Which is the best type of graph to show the number of tickets sold for five different films?

  • stem-and-leaf plot
  • bar graph
  • The best type of graph to show the number of tickets sold for five different films is a bar graph. It compares two or more values. Example:
  • The other types of graphs are not as good.
  • A stem-and-leaf plot shows the numbers in a large data set arranged by place value. Example:
Articles per magazine
 Stem  Leaf 
0     6
1     0 5
2     2 3
3     2 8
4     5 6

Let’s practice!🖊️