A bar graph represents categorical data by using bar lengths or heights to show the frequency or quantity for each category; interpreting it requires reading the labels and scale accurately, including scales that increase by more than one, and comparing values. The learner can determine totals, differences, and how many more or fewer one category has than another, while recognizing that the bars represent discrete quantities rather than continuous measurements; relative frequency, percentages, and statistical measures are not included.
First, read the title, the category labels, and the numbers on the scale. The length or height of each bar tells how many items are in that category.
Pay close attention to the scale. If the labels go up by , then each step represents items, not .
A bar graph shows students’ favorite fruits. The vertical scale is labeled:
The bars reach these heights:
Question: How many more students chose bananas than oranges?
Answer: more students chose bananas than oranges.
You can also use the bars to compare categories. Bananas were the most popular fruit because their bar is tallest. Oranges were the least popular because their bar is shortest. The bars show separate counts for each fruit category, not a continuous measurement.
Click a topic below to practice the foundational skills you'll need, learn the steps, or master this skill
Earned ?