Reading a bar chart
You learn to read values from a bar chart.
How to work it out
- Find the bar you are asked about in the chart.
- Follow the top of the bar across to the scale.
- Read the number at that mark.
A worked example
A bar reaches up to 7 on the y-axis. What value does it show?
- Look where the top of the bar is.
- It is at 7.
- The value is 7.
Another example
Which bar is the highest?
- Measure the height of each bar and compare.
- The highest one is the biggest value.
Try it yourself
In the bar chart you see: Monday 8, Tuesday 12, Wednesday 6, Thursday 14. What is the amount on Monday?
In the bar chart you see: Monday 16, Tuesday 24, Wednesday 18, Thursday 20. What is the amount on Tuesday?
Watch out
You read the wrong bar because you didn’t look at the name under the bar first.
Always look at the label at the bottom of the bar before you look up.
Tips
- Read where the top of the bar reaches on the vertical scale.
Why it works
A bar chart shows data as bars. The height of the bar shows the value. You read where the top of the bar reaches.