Measurement & Data
GradesGrade 2Measurement & DataBar Graphs & Picture Graphs

Bar Graphs & Picture Graphs

📏 Measurement & Data
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Bar Graphs & Picture Graphs

Graphs turn data into pictures — easy to read and compare at a glance!

A PICTURE GRAPH uses small symbols or pictures to show how many in each category. A BAR GRAPH uses bars of different lengths. Both graphs help us organize data and compare amounts quickly.

🐾A picture graph — favorite pets
Dog:  🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶  (5 students)
Cat:  🐱🐱🐱      (3 students)
Fish: 🐠🐠🐠🐠    (4 students)

Each symbol = 1 student. Most popular: Dog!
📊A bar graph — books read
Name   | Books
───────|──────
Alex   | ██████  (6)
Beth   | ████    (4)
Carlos | ████████(8)
Dana   | █████   (5)

Longest bar = most books. Carlos read the most!

How to read a bar graph:

1Read the title to understand what is being measured
2Look at the category labels — what does each bar represent?
3Look at the scale — how much does each unit or grid line represent?
4Find the top of each bar and read its value from the scale
5Compare the bars to answer questions (most, least, difference)

How to read a picture graph:

1Read the KEY — what does each symbol stand for? (1 symbol = 1? or 2? or 5?)
2Count the symbols in each row or column
3Multiply by the key value to find the total for each category
4Compare categories to answer questions
✏️ Try It!

A bar graph shows: Apples=7, Bananas=4, Oranges=6. How many MORE apples than bananas are there?

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Remember This!

When a picture graph key says "each symbol = 2," multiply the number of symbols by 2! If you count 4 symbols in a row, the total is 4 × 2 = 8.

Take Quiz 📝 — 25 Questions