Pictographs
Read keys; totals and differences from pictographs.
Pictographs
Pictographs
What you'll learn
- To read and draw pictographs where symbols stand for multiple units (the key/legend).
- To find totals, differences, and "how many more" from pictograph data.
- To choose a sensible scale (1 symbol = 2, 5, or 10 items) for large counts.
- To apply NCERT Math-Magic 5, Chapter 12 (Smart Charts) to real school and home data.
Key concepts
Level 1 — Reading the key
Verbal: Every pictograph has a key telling what one symbol (or half-symbol) represents.
Symbolic: If 🍎 = 5 apples, then 3 🍎 = 3 × 5 = 15 apples.
| Key | Symbols shown | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 book = 10 books | 4 books | 40 books |
| 1 stick figure = 2 students | 7 figures | 14 students |
| Half symbol = half of key value | ½ 🚌 = 5 if 🚌 = 10 | 5 |
NCERT link: Math-Magic 5, Ch 12 — books sold, modes of travel, favourite fruits.
Level 2 — Totals, comparisons, and drawing
Verbal: To compare categories, subtract totals; to draw, divide actual count by scale and plot symbols.
Real-life: Class survey: cricket ⚽ = 5 votes. Cricket gets 6 symbols, hockey 4 → cricket leads by (6−4)×5 = 10 votes.
| Question type | Method |
|---|---|
| Total | (Number of symbols) × (key value) |
| How many more? | (Difference in symbols) × key value |
| Missing symbols | Total ÷ key value |
Worked example
Key: 1 symbol = 4 cars. Monday shows 5 symbols; Tuesday shows 3 symbols. How many more on Monday?
Step 1 — Monday: 5 × 4 = 20 cars
Step 2 — Tuesday: 3 × 4 = 12 cars
Step 3 — Difference: 20 − 12 = 8
Answer: 8 more cars on Monday
48 students chose mango. Key: 1 🥭 = 6 students. How many symbols?
Step 1 — 48 ÷ 6 = 8 symbols
Answer: 8 mango symbols
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Why it happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Counting symbols as single units | Ignoring the key | Always multiply by key value |
| Wrong scale choice | 1 = 1 when data is 200+ | Pick scale so graph fits (1 = 10 or 20) |
| Half-symbol misread | Treating ½ as 1 | Half = half of key value |
| Adding keys from different graphs | Mixing scales | Read key for that graph only |
Quick check
- Key: 1 = 5. Six symbols = how many?
- Mon: 8 symbols; Tue: 5 symbols (1 = 10). Difference?
- Draw a pictograph for votes: A=20, B=15 (use 1 = 5).
- Stretch: Total sales Mon–Wed are 75; Mon=30, Tue=20. How many on Wed if key is 1 = 5 symbols?
Revision tip: Survey your family — favourite breakfast. Pick a scale, draw the pictograph, and write three questions a friend could answer from it.
Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Pictographs.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- What you'll learn
- Key concepts
- Worked example
- Common mistakes
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