Tally charts and pictograms

Tally charts help us count as we collect data: each mark is one, and every fifth mark crosses the other four to make a gate. Pictograms show data with pictures, where each picture stands for a number.

Key facts

  • A gate (卌) is 5.
  • Always read the key on a pictogram: one picture might mean 2, 5 or 10.
  • Half a picture means half of the key.

Worked examples

Example 1

In a pictogram, ⭐ = 4 children. Football has 3½ stars. How many children chose football?

  1. 3 stars = 3 × 4 = 12
  2. Half a star = 2
  3. 12 + 2 = 14

Answer: 14

Example 2

What number does 卌 卌 ||| show?

  1. Two gates = 10.
  2. Three more = 13.

Answer: 13