Tutorpip← About this lessonOpen the sheet →Download PDF
Grade 2 · Maths · Lessons
Picture graphs and their key
⭐star🍎apple🐟fish🔑key
Pictures count things.
The big ideaLook at the key. Count each column in its steps.

How it works

A picture graph uses a picture for each thing, or for a few things.

Check the key first. One picture might stand for 2, 5 or 10.

To count a column, count the pictures in steps of the key.

Stars, apples and fish0246810128stars12apples2fish
The same data as a bar chart. If the key says 2, each picture is worth 2.

Example 1: Make a graph

  1. You have 3 blocks, 5 cars and 4 balls. The key says one picture is 1.
  2. Draw 3 block pictures, 5 car pictures and 4 ball pictures.
  3. 3 + 5 + 4 = 12 pictures in all.

Example 2: Read a row

  1. The key says each star picture is worth 2. The row has 4 star pictures.
  2. Count in twos: 2, 4, 6, 8.
  3. There are 8 stars.

Example 3: Compare two rows

  1. The key says each picture is worth 5. The fish row has 6 pictures and the star row has 2.
  2. Fish: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30. Stars: 5, 10.
  3. 30 − 10 = 20, so there are 20 more fish than stars.

Words to know

key
Tells how many each picture is worth.
picture graph
A graph that uses pictures to show data.

Watch out

Try it

  1. One star stands for 2 children. There are 4 stars. How many children?
  2. One apple stands for 5. There are 3 apples. How many in all?
  3. Where do you look first on a picture graph?
  4. A fish row has 6 pictures and the key says each is worth 2. How many fish?
Answers: 1. 8 · 2. 15 · 3. the key · 4. 12
For grown-upsMake a picture graph of the family's favourite foods with stickers, using one sticker for 2 votes.
Open these notes on screenScan the code, or go to tutorpip.com.