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Primary Maths · Year 4Chapter 11 · Statistics
Year 4 · Pictograms, Bar Charts and Time Graphs · Lesson 11.3

Year 4: Reading bar charts

Part of the Year 4 pictograms, bar charts and time graphs chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page · Download worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF)

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11.3

Reading bar charts

Year 4
Interpret discrete data using bar charts, Solve comparison, sum and difference problems using bar charts

A bar chart shows data using bars. The longer the bar, the bigger the number. Every bar chart has a title, labels for each bar, and a scale: the row of numbers on one side. The bars can stand up (vertical) or lie across (horizontal).

012345678DogCatRabbitFishHamsterFavourite petsNumber of pupilsPet
A bar chart. The scale goes up in 1s. The bar for cats reaches 6, so 6 pupils chose cats.

To read a bar: put your finger on the top of the bar, then slide it across to the scale. The scale does not always go up in 1s. It can go up in 2s, 5s, 10s, 20s, 50s and more. Before you read a bar, look at the numbers on the scale and work out what one gap is worth.

0246810RaviMeiTomEllaGoals scoredNumber of goalsPlayer
051015202530MonTueWedThuFriVisitors to the museumNumber of visitorsDay
Left: the scale goes up in 2s. Right: the scale goes up in 5s.

Sometimes a bar finishes between two numbers on the scale. Then you need to find out what each small gap is worth. If the numbers go up in 10s and there is a gridline halfway between, each small gap is 5. A bar that ends on the halfway line between 30 and 40 is 35.

01020304050MonTueWedThuFriBooks readNumber of booksDay
020406080FootballSwimmingChessArtChildren at clubsNumber of children
Left: labels go up in 10s with a gridline halfway, so each gap is 5. Right: a horizontal bar chart: labels go up in 20s, each gap is 10.

Key ideas

  • Read the title and the labels first. Then find the scale.
  • Work out what one gap is worth: the step between two numbers ÷ the number of gaps.
  • Look at the top of a vertical bar (or the end of a horizontal bar) and read across (or down) to the scale.
  • If a bar ends between two numbers, count on in small gaps.
  • “How many more” means subtract. “Altogether” means add.
Worked example 11.3.1
Use the bar chart. How many pupils chose cats?
012345678DogCatRabbitFishHamsterFavourite petsNumber of pupilsPet

Key words. A bar chart uses bars to show data. The height (or length) of a bar shows how many. The scale is the row of numbers on the side. It tells you how much each gridline is worth.

Method. Look at the bar carefully and read off the number for Cat.

  1. Find the scale. The numbers up the side are the scale. We must know what one gridline is worth.
    The numbers go up in 1s: 0, 1, 2, 3...
  2. Read the bar for Cat. Find the top of the bar, then look across to the scale (follow the orange dotted line).
    The top of the bar for Cat is exactly on the line for 6.
  3. Write the answer.
    Cat = 6 pupils
    012345678DogCatRabbitFishHamsterFavourite petsNumber of pupilsPet

Check. Look again at the picture: Cat is 6. ✓

Watch out. Work out what each gridline is worth before you read a bar. The scale does not always go up in 1s.

Worked example 11.3.2
The chart shows the goals scored by four players. How many more goals did Mei score than Tom?
0246810RaviMeiTomEllaGoals scoredNumber of goalsPlayer

Key words. The difference between two numbers is how much bigger one is than the other. We find it by subtracting. “How many more” and “how many fewer” questions are difference questions. A bar chart uses bars to show data. The height (or length) of a bar shows how many. The scale is the row of numbers on the side. It tells you how much each gridline is worth.

Method. To find “how many more”, read both numbers and then subtract the smaller from the bigger.

  1. Find the scale. The numbers up the side are the scale. We must know what one gridline is worth.
    The numbers go up in 2s: 0, 2, 4, 6...
  2. Read the numbers we need from the picture. We need these numbers for the calculation.
    Mei = 10
    Tom = 4
    0246810RaviMeiTomEllaGoals scoredNumber of goalsPlayer
  3. Find the difference. To find how many more (or fewer), subtract the smaller number from the bigger number.
    10 − 4 = 6
  4. Write the answer.
    6 more

Check. Add back: 4 + 6 = 10. ✓

Watch out. Subtract: do not add. The question asks for the difference.

Worked example 11.3.3
The scale goes up in 2s, and there is a gridline between the numbers. How many books were in the reading corner on Monday?
024681012MonTueWedThuFriBooks in the reading cornerNumber of booksDay

Key words. A bar chart uses bars to show data. The height (or length) of a bar shows how many. The scale is the row of numbers on the side. It tells you how much each gridline is worth.

Method. Look at the bar carefully and read off the number for Mon.

  1. Find the scale. The numbers up the side are the scale. Not every gridline has a number, so we must work out what each small gap is worth.
    The numbers go up in 2s: 0, 2, 4...
    Between two numbers there are 2 gaps.
    2 ÷ 2 = 1, so each small gap is worth 1.
  2. Read the bar for Mon. Find the top of the bar, then look across to the scale (follow the orange dotted line).
    The top of the bar for Mon is between 6 and 8.
    It is 1 small gap after 6: 6 + 1 = 7
  3. Write the answer.
    Mon = 7 books
    024681012MonTueWedThuFriBooks in the reading cornerNumber of booksDay

Check. Look again at the picture: Mon is 7. ✓

Watch out. Work out what each gridline is worth before you read a bar. The scale does not always go up in 1s.

Worked example 11.3.4
How many visitors came to the museum in the whole week?
051015202530MonTueWedThuFriVisitors to the museumNumber of visitorsDay

Key words. A bar chart uses bars to show data. The height (or length) of a bar shows how many. The scale is the row of numbers on the side. It tells you how much each gridline is worth.

Method. Read each number from the picture, then add them all.

  1. Find the scale. The numbers up the side are the scale. We must know what one gridline is worth.
    The numbers go up in 5s: 0, 5, 10, 15...
  2. Read every number. We need these numbers for the calculation.
    Mon = 15
    Tue = 25
    Wed = 10
    Thu = 30
    Fri = 20
    051015202530MonTueWedThuFriVisitors to the museumNumber of visitorsDay
  3. Add the numbers together. Altogether means add everything. Add one number at a time.
    15 + 25 + 10 + 30 + 20
    15 + 25 = 40
    40 + 10 = 50
    50 + 30 = 80
    80 + 20 = 100
  4. Write the answer.
    Total = 100 visitors

Check. Add in the opposite order: 20 + 30 + 10 + 25 + 15 = 100. ✓

Watch out. Do not leave out a row or a bar. Check you have used every one.

Worked example 11.3.5
The scale goes up in 10s. How many books were read on Monday?
01020304050MonTueWedThuFriBooks readNumber of booksDay

Key words. A bar chart uses bars to show data. The height (or length) of a bar shows how many. The scale is the row of numbers on the side. It tells you how much each gridline is worth.

Method. Look at the bar carefully and read off the number for Mon.

  1. Find the scale. The numbers up the side are the scale. Not every gridline has a number, so we must work out what each small gap is worth.
    The numbers go up in 10s: 0, 10, 20...
    Between two numbers there are 2 gaps.
    10 ÷ 2 = 5, so each small gap is worth 5.
  2. Read the bar for Mon. Find the top of the bar, then look across to the scale (follow the orange dotted line).
    The top of the bar for Mon is between 30 and 40.
    It is 1 small gap after 30: 30 + 5 = 35
  3. Write the answer.
    Mon = 35 books
    01020304050MonTueWedThuFriBooks readNumber of booksDay

Check. Look again at the picture: Mon is 35. ✓

Watch out. Work out what each gridline is worth before you read a bar. The scale does not always go up in 1s.

Worked example 11.3.6
This is a horizontal bar chart. How many children go to swimming club?
020406080FootballSwimmingChessArtChildren at clubsNumber of children

Key words. A bar chart uses bars to show data. The height (or length) of a bar shows how many. The scale is the row of numbers on the side. It tells you how much each gridline is worth.

Method. Look at the bar carefully and read off the number for Swimming.

  1. Find the scale. The numbers along the bottom are the scale. Not every gridline has a number, so we must work out what each small gap is worth.
    The numbers go up in 20s: 0, 20, 40...
    Between two numbers there are 2 gaps.
    20 ÷ 2 = 10, so each small gap is worth 10.
  2. Read the bar for Swimming. Find the end of the bar, then look down to the scale (follow the orange dotted line).
    The end of the bar for Swimming is between 40 and 60.
    It is 1 small gap after 40: 40 + 10 = 50
  3. Write the answer.
    Swimming = 50 children
    020406080FootballSwimmingChessArtChildren at clubsNumber of children

Check. Look again at the picture: Swimming is 50. ✓

Watch out. Work out what each gridline is worth before you read a bar. The scale does not always go up in 1s.

Worked example 11.3.7
The scale goes up in 50s and each small gap is 10. How many people visited the zoo on Monday?
050100150200250300350SatSunMonTueVisitors to the zooNumber of visitorsDay

Key words. A bar chart uses bars to show data. The height (or length) of a bar shows how many. The scale is the row of numbers on the side. It tells you how much each gridline is worth.

Method. Look at the bar carefully and read off the number for Mon.

  1. Find the scale. The numbers up the side are the scale. Not every gridline has a number, so we must work out what each small gap is worth.
    The numbers go up in 50s: 0, 50, 100...
    Between two numbers there are 5 gaps.
    50 ÷ 5 = 10, so each small gap is worth 10.
  2. Read the bar for Mon. Find the top of the bar, then look across to the scale (follow the orange dotted line).
    The top of the bar for Mon is between 100 and 150.
    It is 3 small gaps after 100: 100 + 3 × 10 = 130
  3. Write the answer.
    Mon = 130 visitors
    050100150200250300350SatSunMonTueVisitors to the zooNumber of visitorsDay

Check. Look again at the picture: Mon is 130. ✓

Watch out. Work out what each gridline is worth before you read a bar. The scale does not always go up in 1s.

Worked example 11.3.8
How many more people visited the zoo on Saturday than on Tuesday?
050100150200250300350SatSunMonTueVisitors to the zooNumber of visitorsDay

Key words. The difference between two numbers is how much bigger one is than the other. We find it by subtracting. “How many more” and “how many fewer” questions are difference questions. A bar chart uses bars to show data. The height (or length) of a bar shows how many. The scale is the row of numbers on the side. It tells you how much each gridline is worth.

Method. To find “how many more”, read both numbers and then subtract the smaller from the bigger.

  1. Find the scale. The numbers up the side are the scale. Not every gridline has a number, so we must work out what each small gap is worth.
    The numbers go up in 50s: 0, 50, 100...
    Between two numbers there are 5 gaps.
    50 ÷ 5 = 10, so each small gap is worth 10.
  2. Read the numbers we need from the picture. We need these numbers for the calculation.
    Sat = 350
    Tue = 170
    050100150200250300350SatSunMonTueVisitors to the zooNumber of visitorsDay
  3. Find the difference. To find how many more (or fewer), subtract the smaller number from the bigger number.
    350 − 170 = 180
  4. Write the answer.
    180 more

Check. Add back: 170 + 180 = 350. ✓

Watch out. Subtract: do not add. The question asks for the difference.

Watch out

Do not just count the gridlines. Look at the numbers on the scale. If the scale goes up in 10s, one gridline is not 1. Check every time what each gap is worth, and be careful when a bar ends between two numbers.

Exercise 11C  Reading bar charts

Non-calculator
1
FRead the bar chart. The scale goes up in 1s.
01234567891011FootballSwimmingDanceJudoChessFavourite clubsNumber of childrenClub
(a)How many children chose football?
(b)How many children chose dance?
(c)How many children chose judo?
(d)Which club is the least popular?
2
FThe scale goes up in 2s.
02468101214RaviMeiTomEllaKofiGoals scored this seasonNumber of goalsPlayer
(a)How many goals did Ravi score?
(b)How many goals did Ella score?
(c)Which player scored 10 goals?
(d)How many goals did the five players score altogether?
3
FThe numbers go up in 2s, but each gap is worth 1.
02468101214MonTueWedThuFriCups of tea sold at the cafeNumber of cupsDay
(a)How many cups of tea were sold on Mon?
(b)How many cups of tea were sold on Tue?
(c)How many cups of tea were sold on Wed?
(d)How many more cups were sold on Tuesday than on Friday?
4
FThe scale goes up in 5s.
0510152025303540SatSunMonTueWedCars washed at the fundraiserNumber of carsDay
(a)How many cars were washed on Saturday?
(b)How many cars were washed on Tuesday?
(c)How many cars were washed on Sunday and Monday together?
(d)How many cars were washed in the five days?
5
FThe numbers go up in 10s. There is a gridline halfway between the numbers.
0102030405060708090MonTueWedThuFriTickets sold for the school playNumber of ticketsDay
(a)How many tickets were sold on Mon?
(b)How many tickets were sold on Wed?
(c)How many tickets were sold on Fri?
(d)On which day were 30 tickets sold?
6
FThis is a horizontal bar chart. The scale goes up in 20s. Each small gap is worth 10.
020406080100CheeseHamEggTunaSaladSandwiches soldNumber of sandwiches
(a)How many cheese sandwiches were sold?
(b)How many egg sandwiches were sold?
(c)Which sandwich was the most popular?
(d)How many more tuna sandwiches than egg sandwiches were sold?
7
FThe scale goes up in 50s. Each small gap is worth 10.
050100150200250300350MonTueWedThuFriBooks borrowed from the libraryNumber of booksDay
(a)How many books were borrowed on Mon?
(b)How many books were borrowed on Tue?
(c)How many books were borrowed on Thu?
(d)On which day were 310 books borrowed?
8
FThe numbers on a scale go up in the step shown. Work out what one small gap is worth.
(a)The numbers go up in 2s. There are 2 gaps between each pair of numbers.
(b)The numbers go up in 10s. There are 5 gaps between each pair of numbers.
(c)The numbers go up in 20s. There are 4 gaps between each pair of numbers.
(d)The numbers go up in 50s. There are 5 gaps between each pair of numbers.
(e)The numbers go up in 10s. There are 2 gaps between each pair of numbers.
(f)The numbers go up in 5s. There are 5 gaps between each pair of numbers.
9
PSLook at the chart of children at the after-school club.
0102030405060MonTueWedThuFriChildren at the after-school clubNumber of childrenDay
(a)On which day were the most children at the club?
(b)How many children were at the club on Monday?
(c)What is the difference between the biggest number and the smallest number of children?
(d)How many more children were there on Wednesday than on Tuesday?
10
PSThe bar chart shows the stickers earned by two classes. The blue bars are Class 4A and the orange bars are Class 4B.
02468101214MonTueWedThuStickers earnedNumber of stickersClass 4AClass 4B
(a)How many stickers did Class 4A earn on Tuesday?
(b)How many stickers did Class 4B earn on Tuesday?
(c)How many stickers did Class 4A earn in the four days?
(d)How many stickers did Class 4B earn in the four days?
11
RWrite true or false for each statement about the chess club chart.
0102030405060MonTueWedThuFriPupils at the chess clubNumber of pupilsDay
(a)More pupils came on Wednesday than on Monday.
(b)Thursday had twice as many pupils as Monday.
(c)Friday had 25 pupils.
(d)Tuesday had fewer pupils than Friday.
12
RMr Khan makes a bar chart of the days it rained and the days it was dry. He says, “The bar chart has bars that go up to 10, so each gridline must be worth 1.” Why might he be wrong? What should he check?
13
RPart of the bar chart is covered by an ink blot. The bar for Thursday cannot be seen. In total, 125 visitors came in the week. How many came on Thursday?
05101520253035MonTueWedThuFriVisitors to the museumNumber of visitorsDay

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