Primary 2 maths · Data & graphs · About 8 minutes
Read picture graphs where one symbol represents several objects
Read the key, then count the symbols and multiply.
Start the interactive lesson →Open practice activity
What you will learn
- Read picture graphs where one symbol represents several objects
Models used: number sentences, stories, diagrams.
Before you start
What does one symbol stand for?
Three symbols represent the apples. Look at the key: each symbol means 2 apples.
Three symbols represent the apples. Look at the key: each symbol means 2 apples.
When one symbol stands for 2 oranges, five symbols show 10 oranges, not 5.
Apples●●●Pears●●Each ● = 2 The key is two fruit per symbol Count the apples in twos: 2, 4, 6. Three symbols stand for six apples.
3 × 2 = 6
Apples●●●Pears●●Each ● = 2 Three symbols represent six apples Both bars use the same scale. Compare their lengths and read the names beside them.
Pears have two symbols: 4 pears. There are 2 more apples than pears.
6 − 4 = 2
What did the picture help us see?
Pears have two symbols: 4 pears. There are 2 more apples than pears.
Worked example: A new example, together
Read the value for Oranges.
Read the key, then count the symbols and multiply.
Labels and scales determine the numerical value represented by each category.
Apples●●●Pears●Mangoes●●Oranges●●●●●Each ● = 5 Read the scale before the values. Each symbol represents 5.
Apples●●●Pears●Mangoes●●Oranges●●●●●Each ● = 5 Read the scale before the values. Read the value for Oranges.
25
Each symbol represents 5.
Apples●●●Pears●Mangoes●●Oranges●●●●●Each ● = 5 Read the scale before the values. Oranges represents 25.
Apples●●●Pears●Mangoes●●Oranges●●●●●Each ● = 5 Read the scale before the values. The answer is 25.
Apples●●●Pears●Mangoes●●Oranges●●●●●Each ● = 5 Read the scale before the values. Check the result against the question we started with.
The scale reading for Oranges is 25.
We found 25. Labels and scales determine the numerical value represented by each category.
Apples●●●Pears●Mangoes●●Oranges●●●●●Each ● = 5 Read the scale before the values.
Common mistakes to discuss
- Ignoring the key. Multiply the symbols by the key’s value, and read a part symbol as part of that value.
Check your understanding
- Read picture graphs where one symbol represents several objects
- read a picture graph using its key
- check the answer against the original quantities and units
Explain your reasoning to an adult, then try a fresh question in the interactive lesson. A result from one attempt is not proof of lasting mastery.
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