What is a bar chart?
A bar chart uses bars to show numbers. Each bar stands for one group. A taller bar means a bigger number, and a shorter bar means a smaller number.
Reading a bar chart
Look at the bottom for the group names. Look at the side for the numbers. Follow the top of each bar across to read its number. To find the total, add all the bars together. To compare two bars, subtract the smaller number from the bigger number.
Worked example
A chart shows pets: cats 5, dogs 3, fish 4. Which pet is the most? The tallest bar is cats with 5, so cats are the most. How many pets in all? 5 + 3 + 4 = 12.
Key idea
The tallest bar shows the most. The shortest bar shows the least.
Remember
- Read the names at the bottom.
- Read the numbers at the side.
- Compare the heights of the bars.