There are several applications of this concept:
- To identify the number of something within a given time period.
- To categorize specifics within a bigger bucket (i.e., coloring the dresses listed under each month differently to help keep track of which color was sold within that month)
How can we use the concept:
There are no specific formulas associated with pictographs. As one is solving, it is important to pay attention to the key, as each picture representation could be worth more (i.e multiples of 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, etc.). It is also important to be sure to read the title of the graph to identify what data is being analyzed.
Sample Math Problems
1.
Using the pictograph above, how many more black cars were sold in January than February?
Option 1:
Identify how many black cars were sold in January.
4 black cars are in the January category, each one is worth 50 cars, so 4 x 50 = 200 black cars sold in Jan.
Identify how many black cars were sold in February.
3 black cars are in the January category, each one is worth 50 cars, so 3 x 50 = 150 black cars sold in Feb.
Find the difference by subtracting.
200 - 150 = 50 more black cars were sold in Jan.
Option 2:
Count the number of black car pictures in Jan and Feb
4 black car pictures in Jan; 3 black car pictures in Feb
Find the difference between the two months
4 - 3 = 1 more black car picture in Jan than Feb
Multiply by 50
1 x 50 = 50 more black cars were sold in Jan.
2. Using the pictograph above, how many red cars were sold in all?
Option 1:
Count the total number of red cars
8 red cars throughout the data table
Multiply by 50
8 x 50 = 400 total red cars were sold.
Option 2:
Skip count by 50’s for each red car that you see in the pictograph.
50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400 (counted 8 times because there are 8 red cars)
3. Using the pictograph above, which color car was sold more?
Count the number of black cars
11 black cars
Count the number of red cars
8 red cars
Compare the numbers
11 black cars > 8 red cars; so, more black cars were sold
4. Using the pictograph above, how many cars were sold in all over the three months?
Count the number of cars in the graph; multiply by 50.
19 x 50 = 950
OR…
10 x 50 = 500, 9 x 50 = 450, 500 + 450 = 950.
