Primary 3 Bar Graphs
A bar graph uses bars to show and compare amounts in different categories. The height of each bar shows its value on a numbered scale. Read the title and category labels, then match the top of a bar to its value on the scale.
Keywords
- Title
- The name that tells what the graph shows.
- Category
- A label under a bar, such as Class 3B.
- Scale
- The numbered values on the axis.
- Interval
- One equal step between marks on the scale.
- Bar
- The rectangle whose top shows the value for a category.
How to read a bar graph
First read the title to learn what the graph shows and the labels to find the category you need. Next read the numbered scale: equal intervals may count in 2s, 5s or 10s. Follow the top of the chosen bar across to the scale, then say the value with its unit.
See worked example
The bar graph shows the number of cans collected by four classes. How many cans did Class 3B collect?
- Two small gaps on the scale make 10 cans, so each gap is 5 cans. Write 25, 35, 20 and 45 above the four bars.
- Find Class 3B on the category axis.
- Read 35 above Class 3B's bar.
Answer: Class 3B collected 35 cans.
Try together
On the same graph, how many cans did Class 3A collect?
Reveal the answer
Class 3A's bar reaches 25, so Class 3A collected 25 cans.