Pictographs (Grade 2)
A pictograph (also called a picture graph) uses small pictures or symbols to show data. Each picture stands for a certain number. Pictographs make it easy to compare information at a glance.
In Class 2, we learn to read pictographs and answer questions about the data shown in them.
What is Pictographs - Class 2 Maths (Data Handling (Grade 2))?
A pictograph is a chart that uses pictures or symbols to represent numbers.
- Each picture stands for 1 or more items
- A key tells us how many each picture represents
- We count the pictures to find the total for each category
Example key: Each ★ = 1 child
Pictographs (Grade 2) Formula
How to read a pictograph:
- Read the title to know what the pictograph is about
- Read the key to know what each picture means
- Count the pictures in each row
- Multiply the number of pictures by the key value
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: Reading a Simple Pictograph
Question: A pictograph shows favourite fruits. Key: Each 🍎 = 1 child.
| Mango | 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 |
| Apple | 🍎🍎🍎🍎 |
| Banana | 🍎🍎🍎 |
How many children like mangoes?
Think:
- Count the symbols next to Mango: 6
- Each symbol = 1 child
Answer: 6 children like mangoes.
Example 2: Example 2: Comparing in a Pictograph
Question: Using the same pictograph above, which fruit do the most children like?
Think:
- Mango = 6, Apple = 4, Banana = 3
- 6 is the most
Answer: Mango is liked by the most children.
Example 3: Example 3: Finding Difference
Question: How many more children like mangoes than bananas?
Think:
- Mango = 6, Banana = 3
- Difference = 6 − 3 = 3
Answer: 3 more children like mangoes than bananas.
Example 4: Example 4: Key Where Each Picture = 2
Question: A pictograph shows books read. Key: Each 📖 = 2 books.
| Ria | 📖📖📖📖 |
| Aman | 📖📖📖 |
| Priya | 📖📖📖📖📖 |
How many books did Priya read?
Think:
- Priya has 5 symbols
- Each symbol = 2 books
- 5 × 2 = 10 books
Answer: Priya read 10 books.
Example 5: Example 5: Total from Pictograph
Question: Using Example 4, how many books did all three children read in total?
Think:
- Ria = 4 × 2 = 8
- Aman = 3 × 2 = 6
- Priya = 5 × 2 = 10
- Total = 8 + 6 + 10 = 24
Answer: All three children read 24 books in total.
Example 6: Example 6: Drawing a Pictograph
Question: Draw a pictograph for: Cricket = 5, Football = 3, Badminton = 4. Key: Each ⚽ = 1 child.
Answer:
| Sport | Children |
|---|---|
| Cricket | ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽ |
| Football | ⚽⚽⚽ |
| Badminton | ⚽⚽⚽⚽ |
Key: Each ⚽ = 1 child
Example 7: Example 7: Which Has the Least?
Question: A pictograph shows flowers in a garden. Key: Each 🌸 = 2 flowers. Rose = 🌸🌸🌸, Lily = 🌸🌸, Sunflower = 🌸🌸🌸🌸. Which flower has the least?
Think:
- Rose = 3 × 2 = 6
- Lily = 2 × 2 = 4
- Sunflower = 4 × 2 = 8
- 4 is the least
Answer: Lily has the least flowers (4).
Key Points to Remember
- A pictograph uses pictures to show data.
- Always read the key first — it tells you what each picture stands for.
- Count the pictures and multiply by the key value to get the total.
- Pictographs make it easy to compare categories — more pictures means more items.
- You can find the total by adding all categories and the difference by subtracting.
Practice Problems
- In a pictograph, each star stands for 1 child. If 'Dancing' has 7 stars, how many children like dancing?
- Key: Each circle = 2 apples. If there are 4 circles next to 'Red Apples', how many red apples are there?
- A pictograph shows: Roses = 5 pictures, Tulips = 3 pictures. Each picture = 1 flower. How many more roses than tulips?
- Draw a pictograph for: Crows = 4, Parrots = 6, Sparrows = 3 (key: 1 picture = 1 bird).
- Key: Each smiley = 2 children. Dev has 3 smileys and Neha has 5 smileys. How many children in total?
- In a pictograph, which category has the most items: A = 6 pictures, B = 4 pictures, C = 8 pictures?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is a pictograph?
A pictograph is a chart that uses small pictures or symbols to show data. Each picture represents a certain number of items.
Q2. What is a key in a pictograph?
A key tells you how many items each picture stands for. For example, 'Each star = 2 books' means every star in the chart counts as 2 books.
Q3. How do I find the total from a pictograph?
Count the pictures for each category. Multiply by the key value. Then add all the categories together.
Q4. What if each picture stands for 2?
Count the pictures and multiply by 2. For example, 4 pictures means 4 times 2 = 8 items.
Q5. How is a pictograph different from a tally chart?
A tally chart uses lines to count. A pictograph uses pictures. Both show data, but pictographs are more visual and easier to compare at a glance.
Q6. How do I compare data in a pictograph?
Look at which row has more pictures. The row with the most pictures has the highest count. The row with the fewest pictures has the lowest count.
