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Academy11+

11+ Maths · Topic explained

Reading charts and graphs

How can a picture tell you lots of numbers at a glance?

The big idea

A chart turns numbers into a picture: always read the scale or the key first.

Picture it

Like a height chart on the wall: the taller the bar, the more there is.

Key words

scale
The numbers up the side: what each line or square is worth.
key
Tells you what one picture stands for in a pictogram.
axis
The line along the bottom or up the side of a chart.
sector
One slice of a pie chart; the whole circle is 360°.

Worked examples

  1. 1Warm-up

    How many more children chose bananas than grapes?

    • Bananas: 10, grapes: 4
    • 10 − 4 = 6 more
  2. 211+ standard

    In this pictogram one face stands for 4 children. How many children walked on Monday?

    • Monday has 3½ faces
    • 3 × 4 = 12, plus half of 4 = 2
    • 12 + 2 = 14 children
  3. 311+ standard

    This pie chart shows the pets of 60 children. The dogs sector is 90°. How many chose dogs?

    • 90° out of 360° is 1/4 of the circle
    • 1/4 of 60 = 15 children
  4. 411+ standard

    The line graph shows the temperature. How much did it rise from 09:00 to 12:00?

    • 09:00: 4 °C, 12:00: 10 °C
    • 10 − 4 = 6 degrees

The common mistake

The mistake

Counting squares as the answer: the bar is 5 squares high, so 5.

Instead

Check the scale: if each square is worth 2, the bar shows 10.

Why: Scales often go up in 2s, 5s or 10s, so one square isn't always one.

Where it comes up in the 11+

Read values, compare bars, use a pictogram key, turn pie chart angles into amounts.

The video

Video coming soon

We're making a short video that explains reading charts and graphs step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.

Free printable

Reading charts and graphs worksheet

Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.

Download the worksheet (PDF)

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Quick quiz

Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.

  1. 1. In a pictogram one car symbol stands for 6 cars. How many cars do 2½ symbols show?

    • 12
    • 15
    • 18
    • 2.5
    Show the answer

    15

    2 × 6 = 12, and half of 6 is 3: 12 + 3 = 15.

  2. 2. A pie chart shows 36 children. How many degrees does each child get?

    • 36°
    • 10°
    • 100°
    • 5°
    Show the answer

    10°

    The whole circle is 360°, and 360 ÷ 36 = 10.

  3. 3. A bar chart's scale goes up in 10s. A bar ends halfway between 20 and 30. What does it show?

    • 21
    • 25
    • 20.5
    • 30
    Show the answer

    25

    Halfway between 20 and 30 is 25.