Interpreting Charts & Tables

<p>Data handling questions test whether you can read information from tables, charts, and graphs — and use it to answer questions. The key is to read carefully and not rush past the details.</p>

<h2>Reading Tables</h2>

<p>A table organises data into rows and columns. Always read the column headings first so you know what each column represents.</p>

<p><strong>Worked Example:</strong> A table shows the number of books read by four children: Ali (12), Beth (8), Chloe (15), Dan (9). Who read the most? Chloe. How many more did Ali read than Dan? 12 − 9 = 3. Total books read? 12 + 8 + 15 + 9 = 44.</p>

<h2>Bar Charts</h2>

<p>Bar charts use bars to show amounts. The taller the bar, the bigger the value. Check the scale on the vertical axis — it might go up in 2s, 5s, 10s, or another number.</p>

<p><strong>Worked Example:</strong> A bar chart shows ice cream sales. The chocolate bar reaches up to 35 on the scale and the vanilla bar reaches up to 20. How many more chocolate ice creams were sold? 35 − 20 = 15.</p>

<p>Watch out: if the scale goes up in 5s, a bar that ends halfway between 30 and 35 represents 32 or 33 (read carefully — if the gridline is exactly halfway, it is 32.5, but the question may round it).</p>

<h2>Pictograms</h2>

<p>Pictograms use pictures to represent data. There is always a key, for example "each smiley face = 4 children." Half a smiley face means 2 children.</p>

<p><strong>Worked Example:</strong> Monday shows 3.5 smiley faces. If each face = 4, then Monday = 3.5 × 4 = 14 children.</p>

<h2>Pie Charts</h2>

<p>A pie chart shows proportions as slices of a circle. The whole circle represents the total. If a slice is a quarter of the pie, it represents 25% (or 1/4) of the total.</p>

<p><strong>Worked Example:</strong> A pie chart shows how 120 students travel to school. The "bus" slice is 90° (out of 360°). What fraction is that? 90/360 = 1/4. How many students take the bus? 120 ÷ 4 = 30.</p>

<h2>Line Graphs</h2>

<p>Line graphs show how something changes over time. The horizontal axis is usually time; the vertical axis is the measurement. Look at whether the line is going up (increasing), going down (decreasing), or staying flat (constant).</p>

<p><strong>Worked Example:</strong> A line graph shows temperature during the day. At 9 am it was 12°C and at 2 pm it was 19°C. The rise = 19 − 12 = 7°C. When was the temperature highest? Read the graph to find the peak.</p>

<h2>Two-Way Tables</h2>

<p>These have rows AND columns of categories. You might see boys and girls across the top, and sports choices down the side. Use the intersecting cell to find specific values, and the row/column totals to find overall numbers.</p>

<h2>Tally Charts</h2>

<p>Tallies are grouped in fives (four vertical lines and one diagonal line through them = 5). Count each group of five and add the remainder.</p>

<h2>Practice Tips</h2>

<ul>

<li>Always read the title, axis labels, and key BEFORE trying to answer questions</li>

<li>Pay close attention to the scale — it might not start at zero or might go up in unusual steps</li>

<li>For pie charts, remember: 360° = the whole, 180° = half, 90° = quarter</li>

<li>If asked to compare, calculate the exact values rather than guessing from the picture</li>

</ul>