A simple bar graph represents counts for distinct categories, with each bar beginning at a common zero baseline and its height or length corresponding to a small whole-number count on a one-unit scale. Interpreting the graph includes identifying quantities, comparing categories, finding the most or least, and determining how many more or fewer one category has than another; it does not include multi-unit scales, fractional values, or more complex statistical analyses.
A bar graph uses bars to show how many are in each category. Each bar starts at . On this graph, each square stands for item.
Example: Favorite Fruits
| Fruit | Number of students |
|---|---|
| Apples | ■■■ |
| Bananas | ■■■■■ |
| Oranges | ■■ |
To read the graph:
Find a category.
Look at the bar for apples. It has squares, so students chose apples.
Find the most.
The longest bar is bananas, with students. Bananas is the most popular fruit.
Find the least.
The shortest bar is oranges, with students. Oranges is the least popular fruit.
Compare two bars.
How many more students chose bananas than oranges?
Subtract the smaller number from the larger number:
So, 3 more students chose bananas than oranges.
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