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Bar Graphs

Draw and interpret bar graphs

What is a Bar Graph?

A bar graph uses bars (rectangles) to show data. The taller the bar, the bigger the number. Bar graphs make it easy to compare information. They have a title, labels on each axis, and a scale.
Example

Reading a Bar Graph

Favourite Sport of Grade 4 learners: Soccer: ████████ (8) Netball: ██████ (6) Cricket: ████ (4) Swimming: ██████████ (10) Most popular: Swimming (10). Least popular: Cricket (4). Difference: 10 - 4 = 6.

Drawing a Bar Graph

Steps to draw a bar graph: 1) Give it a title. 2) Label the horizontal axis (categories) and vertical axis (numbers). 3) Choose a scale (count by 1s, 2s, 5s, or 10s). 4) Draw bars for each category. 5) Make sure all bars have the same width.
Note

Remember

Every bar graph needs a title, labelled axes, and a clear scale. Bars must have equal widths and gaps between them. You can read bar graphs to answer questions about the data.

Key Vocabulary

Bar graphA chart that uses bars to show and compare data
AxisA line at the side or bottom of a graph
ScaleThe numbers along the axis showing values
DataInformation collected by counting or measuring
TitleThe name of the graph that tells what it shows

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