--- title: "Scaled picture graphs and bar graphs" description: "Draw a scaled picture graph and a scaled bar graph to represent a data set; solve one- and two-step comparison, sum, and difference problems using bar charts, pictograms, and tables" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/scaled-picture-graphs-and-bar-graphs-mt_r8XnXwRA6g source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/scaled-picture-graphs-and-bar-graphs-mt_r8XnXwRA6g.md retrieved: 2026-11-12 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Scaled picture graphs and bar graphs Draw a scaled picture graph and a scaled bar graph to represent a data set; solve one- and two-step comparison, sum, and difference problems using bar charts, pictograms, and tables Subject: Mathematics · Area: Data & Statistics · Ages 8 to 9 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/scaled-picture-graphs-and-bar-graphs-mt_r8XnXwRA6g ## Ready when they can - Read and draw scaled picture graphs and bar graphs using a stated key or scale - Use scaled picture graphs and bar graphs to find how many more or fewer one category has than another - Use graphs and tables to solve two-step totals and comparisons, including the total for the two largest categories ## Lesson: Graphs with a key: when one square means more Earlier, each picture stood for 1 item. A scaled key gives each picture a group of items. With '1 square = 5 pets', two squares mean 5 + 5 = 10 pets, or 2 x 5 = 10. Multiplication adds equal groups: multiply the picture or square count by the key number. To redraw with one picture per item, draw as many pictures as the item count. *(drawing: These bars show pet counts: Dogs 15, Cats 10, Fish 25. Each bar's height shows its pet count.)* **Example.** A pictogram key says 1 ball = 2 votes. Football has 4 balls: 4 x 2 = 8 votes. Tennis has 2 balls: 2 x 2 = 4 votes. With the same key, more pictures mean more votes. For 'how many more', subtract the smaller count from the larger: 8 - 4 = 4 more votes. These bars show the decoded vote counts. To total the top two choices, multiply each row's picture count by the key number. With 2 votes per picture, rows of 6, 4 and 3 pictures mean 12, 8 and 6 votes. Pick the two largest vote counts and add: 12 + 8 = 20. When a graph or table already gives vote counts, pick the two largest and add. For all choices, add every count. **Example.** Label the categories and what you counted. Choose a key or scale. With 5 pets per square, mark equal steps 0, 5, 10, 15 and so on. Division finds how many groups of 5 fit into 25: count 5, 10, 15, 20, 25. There are 5 groups, so 25 divided by 5 = 5 squares. For pictograms, divide the count by the key to find the picture count. **Example.** When rows share a key, you can add their picture counts first, then multiply by the key. With 4 votes per picture, rows of 2 and 3 pictures give (2 + 3) x 4 = 20 votes. To compare two categories together with a third, multiply each picture count by the key, add the two counts, then subtract the third count. **Example.** For charts with different keys, multiply each row's picture count by its own key before comparing. Four pictures worth 2 votes each show 8 votes. Three pictures worth 3 each show 9 votes. More pictures do not mean more votes when the keys differ. Subtract the decoded counts: 9 - 8 = 1. **Recap.** Find the key, multiply squares or pictures by it, then add or subtract to compare, total, or find the difference. *The lesson additions and question repairs were written for this dataset.* ## Practice 18 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Pictograms and tally charts](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/pictograms-and-tally-charts-mt_c29FaCTNsx) - [Picture & bar graphs](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/picture-and-bar-graphs-mt_VhBH8wrFC6) ## Opens up - [Bar charts and time graphs](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/bar-charts-and-time-graphs-mt_ChjMU2GDJa) - [Reading tables](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/reading-tables-mt_Cqm8iy48UI) - [Short Research Projects](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/short-research-projects-mt_FW9_8F52bw) - [Salt Water vs Fresh Water](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/salt-water-vs-fresh-water-mt_LsY4-T2fU7) - [Graphing seasonal weather data](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/graphing-seasonal-weather-data-mt_NYsz6QgaaE)