Primary 4 maths · Data & graphs · About 10 minutes
Read and interpret tables
Read the title, labels and key first. Then trace the requested entry or category.
Start the interactive lesson →Open practice activity
What you will learn
- Read and interpret tables
Models used: number sentences, stories, tables.
Before you start
Find where the row and column meet
A table records 3 apples and 5 pears. How do we find the number of pears?
Fruit counts. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Read the headings first. The first column names the fruit; the second gives its count.
A symbol may represent several objects. A table value belongs to its row and column; a graph value belongs to its category and scale.
Fruit counts Fruit Number of pieces Apples 3 Pears 5 Total 8 The row we are reading. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Find the Pears row, then move across to the count column. Keep the row and heading together.
The row we are reading Fruit Number of pieces Pears 5 The complete bar is the whole. Each labelled section is one part of it.
The entry is 5, so there are five pears. The heading tells us that 5 counts pieces of fruit.
3 + 5 = 8
Check the total. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Check the completed table: both fruit counts add to the total.
3 + 5 = 8
Check the total Fruit Number of pieces Apples 3 Pears 5 Total 8
What did the picture help us see?
Check the completed table: both fruit counts add to the total.
Worked example: A new example, together
What is the difference between the greatest and least counts?
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Apples | 5 |
| Pears | 5 |
| Mangoes | 30 |
| Oranges | 25 |
Read the matching row and column. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Read the title, labels and key first. Then trace the requested entry or category.
Labels and scales determine the numerical value represented by each category.
Read the matching row and column Category Count Apples 5 Pears 5 Mangoes 30 Oranges 25 Read the matching row and column. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Match each value with its row and column.
Read the matching row and column Category Count Apples 5 Pears 5 Mangoes 30 Oranges 25 What is the difference between the greatest and least counts?
25
Read the matching row and column. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Match each value with its row and column.
Read the matching row and column Category Count Apples 5 Pears 5 Mangoes 30 Oranges 25 Read the matching row and column. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Subtract the smaller requested value from the larger.
Read the matching row and column Category Count Apples 5 Pears 5 Mangoes 30 Oranges 25 Read the matching row and column. Read each value with the heading above its column.
The answer is 25.
Read the matching row and column Category Count Apples 5 Pears 5 Mangoes 30 Oranges 25 Read the matching row and column. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Check the result against the question we started with.
Adding the size of the change to the smaller count gives the larger count.
We found 25. Labels and scales determine the numerical value represented by each category.
Read the matching row and column Category Count Apples 5 Pears 5 Mangoes 30 Oranges 25
Common mistakes to discuss
- Reading the neighbouring row. Follow the row and the column to the entry they meet, and read its heading and unit.
Check your understanding
- Read and interpret tables
- read data values and comparisons using their labels and scale
- 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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