Building number confidence: Graphical data

4. Charts and graphs

4.5. Pictogram

A pictogram uses images, or symbols, to represent data in a simplified, visual format.

Tea sales, each cup representing 5. Mon (7), Tue (3), Wed (5), Thu (3), Fri (6), Sat (6), Sun (8).

Each tea-cup represents 5 teas sold.

Data from: .

  Americano Latte Flat white Cappuccino Tea
Monday 76 14 20 12 35
Tuesday 60 30 14 25 17
Wednesday 57 28 30 22 25
Thursday 37 32 12 27 14
Friday 70 36 18 32 28
Saturday 72 35 27 16 32
Sunday 55 25 23 27 40

This pictogram shows tea sales for each day of the week, rounded to the nearest 5. There are 7 cup symbols alongside Monday, which indicates that 7 x 5 = 35 teas (to the nearest 5) were sold that day.

 

A pictogram is a simple format, useful for visual impact, but not suitable for sharing detailed information.
 Data check

Looking at the pictogram, both Friday and Saturday have 6 cups. What were the approximate sales of teas on these days?

6 x 5 = 30, so approximately 30 teas were sold on both of these days.

A check of the data table shows that actual figures were (Friday) 28 and (Saturday) 32, however these have been rounded in order to represent an approximate sales picture using simple icons.