From a table to a bar chart
Read bars from a shared baseline and scale, checking what one unit means.
Start with the activity ↓What does a longer bar mean?
Every bar starts at the same zero. Read how many one unit represents and compare with the group labels.
A table lists 4 circles, 2 triangles and 6 squares. Let each equal-sized cell represent one object. Join that many cells in each row: counts become bar lengths.
Different starting points can mislead when comparing bar ends. Align all bars at zero. With the same scale, a longer bar means a larger count.
If one cell now represents two objects, six squares occupy three cells. Counting cells alone could give the wrong answer of three. Read the unit rule first: one cell means two.
Reordering rows does not change any count. Being at the top is different from being the largest group. Check labels and counts together.
This chart describes the collected objects. It does not tell us why one shape is common or what everyone likes. Separate what the data show from what remains unknown.
Listen one paragraph at a time
1 / 5
2 / 5
3 / 5
4 / 5
5 / 5
Now check it yourself
Change one cell to mean one or two objects, then reorder the rows. Check whether the table counts changed.
| Shape | Count |
|---|---|
| Circle | 4 |
| Triangle | 2 |
| Square | 6 |
One cell = 1 object
All bars use the same scale. Counts are even so they fit whole cells when one cell represents two objects.
Try it away from the screen
Use equal grid cells to draw the table counts. Start every bar on one line and write what one cell means.
Can you explain another example?
Check your idea 1
Check your idea 2
Can you explain it in a new setting?
Explain why chart labels, the baseline and the meaning of one unit matter.
Speak, point or draw on paper. Check whether your own explanation includes these ideas.
Continue reading, or pause here
You connected shapes, measurements and records. Return to number foundations or choose a familiar topic to explore further.