Pictograms

Quick answer

Pictograms are a way of showing data using pictures. Each picture stands for a certain number of things, and a key tells you how many.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to read and create pictograms with a key that shows how many items each picture represents.

• You can look at a pictogram and tell how many things it shows.
• You can make your own pictogram to show information.
• You can use a key to understand how many items each picture stands for.
• You can solve simple problems using pictograms.

Why this matters

Using pictures to show information is a fun and easy way to understand data. Pictograms help us see how many of something there is, and they make it easier to compare different amounts. You might see pictograms in newspapers, on TV, or in your classroom. They are useful for showing things like how many pets people have, how many books students read, or how many ice creams are sold in a day. This skill helps you make sense of the world around you!

How it works

Creating a pictogram is like making a picture story with numbers. Here’s how to do it:

1. Choose what to show – Think of a question like “How many apples did each child eat?”
2. Draw your pictures – Use simple pictures to represent the items you are counting.
3. Decide how many each picture stands for – This is your key. For example, one apple picture might mean 2 apples.
4. Draw the pictogram – Place the right number of pictures for each group.
5. Label it clearly – Add a title and a key so others can understand your pictogram.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at a real example. Imagine you are collecting data about your class’s favourite ice creams:

Now, let’s make a pictogram. We’ll use a picture of an ice cream cone to show each child’s choice.

Key: 1 ice cream cone = 2 children

So for Vanilla (8 children), we draw 4 ice cream cones. For Chocolate (6 children), we draw 3 ice cream cones. For Strawberry (4 children), we draw 2 ice cream cones.

Here is how it looks:

Each picture stands for 2 children, so we use 4 pictures for 8 children, and so on.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Ice Cream Survey

You are a detective who needs to find out what your friends like to eat for breakfast. You ask 10 friends and record their answers:

• 10 friends like toast
• 8 friends like cereal
• 6 friends like eggs
• 4 friends like pancakes

Task: Create a pictogram to show this data. Use a picture of a breakfast item (like a toast slice or a bowl of cereal) and decide how many people each picture will represent. Make sure to include a key and a title.

Step 1: Choose your picture – let’s use a bowl of cereal.

Step 2: Decide the key – one bowl = 2 people.

Step 3: Draw your pictogram:

Step 4: Write your key and title.

Key: 1 bowl = 2 people

Title: My Friends’ Breakfast Choices

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Not using a key or forgetting to explain what each picture means.
• Why it happens: Kids may think everyone will understand how many items each picture stands for.
• Fix: Always include a clear key and title so others can read your pictogram.
• Mistake: Drawing the wrong number of pictures for the data.
• Why it happens: Miscounting or misunderstanding the key.
• Fix: Use the key to work out how many pictures to draw – if 1 picture = 3 items, and you have 12 items, draw 4 pictures.
• Mistake: Mixing up the data and the pictures.
• Why it happens: Confusion between what the data shows and what the pictures represent.
• Fix: Double-check that the number of pictures matches the number of items divided by the key value.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:

1. Encouraging them to ask questions – “What does this pictogram show?” or “How many does each picture represent?”
2. Playing detective together – Use real data from your home like how many toys each child has or how many books were read.
3. Practising with fun examples – Try making a pictogram about your family’s favourite snacks or pets.
4. Checking the key – Make sure they remember to include a key and title in their pictograms.
5. Being patient – It’s normal for children to make small mistakes. Focus on learning, not perfection.

Remember, pictograms are a visual way to show data, and they help children understand how numbers work in a fun way. The more you practice together, the more confident your child will become!

Practice questions

1. Question: In a pictogram, one picture of a car stands for 5 cars. If there are 30 cars in total, how many pictures should be drawn?
2. Answer: 6 pictures
3. Question: A pictogram uses a picture of a flower to show how many flowers each child planted. The key says 1 flower = 3 children. If 15 children planted flowers, how many pictures should be drawn?
4. Answer: 5 pictures
5. Question: If a pictogram shows 4 pictures of apples and the key says 1 apple = 4 items, how many apples are shown?
6. Answer: 16 apples
7. Question: A pictogram uses a picture of a ball to show how many balls each child has. The key says 1 ball = 2 children. If there are 10 children, how many pictures should be drawn?
8. Answer: 5 pictures
9. Question: In a pictogram, 1 picture of a book stands for 10 books. If there are 60 books, how many pictures should be drawn?
10. Answer: 6 pictures

FAQ

What is a pictogram?

A pictogram is a way of showing data using pictures. Each picture stands for a certain number of items, and a key explains how many.

Why do we use pictograms?

Pictograms make data easier to understand and more fun to look at. They help us compare amounts quickly and see patterns.

Can I make a pictogram with any picture?

Yes! You can use any picture that relates to your data, like animals, food, toys, or shapes.

How do I make a key for a pictogram?

The key tells you how many items each picture stands for. For example, if 1 picture = 5 items, write this in your key.

What if a picture doesn’t show a whole number?

If your data is not a multiple of the key, you can draw a partial picture, like half a picture, to show the remaining items.