Pictograph in Statistics, Creating, Reading, Examples, Advantages/Disadvantages, Practice Questions

Pictograph in statistics also known as a pictogram, is a pictorial representation of data using images, icons, or symbols. It is a type of graph that uses pictures to display data. It’s also known as a “pictogram”, “icon chart”, “picture chart” and “pictorial unit chart”.

In statistics, we use the concept of data handling to deal with large data sets. The methods of data handling include bar graphs, histograms, pie charts, etc. Pictograph is essential for students of class 6 and class 7 to learn data handling.

In this article, we’ll learn about what is Pictographs in Maths, Pictograph Definitions, How to Make a Pictograph, and How to Read a Pictograph. We will also see examples of pictographs with explanations and also have some pictograph questions to practice on their own.

What is a Pictograph in Maths?

A pictograph is a way to show information using pictures and symbols instead of just numbers. It helps make data easier to understand compared to looking at the plain numbers. The scaled-up image represents the magnitude of the data point.

Pictograph Definition

A pictograph is defined as a method of representing a dataset by a symbol or picture for a word or phrase.

A pictograph is made of using two words that are (picto from picture) and a graph which means that organizing data in the form of pictures and graphs is known as a pictograph.

Parts of Pictograph

Parts of a pictograph include the following:

• Title: It is a title that describes what the pictograph is of.
• Icon or Symbol: This visual representation represents individual data points or categories.
• Data values: It represents the quantity of each data point.
• Labels: It provides more details about the data points.
• Colour (optional): It adds more meaning or readability to the pictograph.

How to Make a Pictograph?

To create a pictograph, follow the steps listed below:

1. Understand the data: The first and foremost step to creating a pictograph is to understand the data i.e. the type of data given to create a pictograph.
2. Choose icons or symbols: To create your pictograph you need to select an icon or image by which you are going to represent the data.
3. Provide a scaling factor: You need to provide a scaling factor that represents the quantity or value of the icon.
4. Use colours: This is the optional step that is used to enhance your pictograph.
5. Present your Pictograph: After performing the above steps you can present it as a presentation.

How to Read a Pictograph?

To read a pictograph you need to follow the below given steps:

1. Identify the data points: Identify the data points as they are labelled by using the meaning of images or icons.
2. Count the icons or symbols: Count the number of icons or symbols associated with it. The number of icons represents the value of that data point. If there is a scaling factor, keep that in mind when counting.
3. Interpret the data: Use the information you gathered in step 3 to interpret the data. For instance, if you see three apple images in a category called “Apples,” and the key says that each icon symbolizes five apples, you may figure out that there are 3 x 5 = 15 apples in that category.
4. Conclude: Now conclude from the above information.

Pictograph Example

In the above two headings we have learnt steps how to read and create pictograph, now we will learn to create and read a pictograph using an example.

Suppose you want to represent the number of books four students read in a month using a pictograph. The data for the same is given below:

Students	Student A	Student B	Student C	Student D
Books	4	8	6	8

• To create a pictograph we need to understand the data first that is the type of data as in our table some students are there with some books.
• Now, we will choose an icon to make a pictograph. After choosing an icon we will provide a scaling factor which will be 2 in the given example.
• Now, we will present our pictograph

To read the pictograph, identify the icon which is a book in this case, and then look for the scaling factor and then based on the scaling factor count the icons for every student and then find the value by multiplying the number of icons with the scaling factor(interpreting the data). Now find conclusions.

Now since each picture of book represent two books and the pictograph shows student A has two book pictures hence, student A has in total 2 × 2 = 4 books. Similarly Student B has 4 × 2 = 8 books, Student C has 3 × 2 = 6 books and Student D has 4 × 2 = 8 books.

Advantages of Pictograph

Since, the pictograph is one of the easiest way to represent a data. It has got several advantages. These advantages are discussed below:

• They are very easy to understand as they use only symbols to represent the data.
• Pictographs reduce complex data by representing it visually.
• They gain more attention from people as people feel it is complex to understand the raw data as compared to pictographs.
• Pictograph makes it very easy for the user to understand the raw data and draw insights from it.

Disadvantages of Pictograph

A pictograph although a very easy and convenient tool to represent data but it has also got some limitations especially in the case of lengthy and complex datasets. Let’s learn the different disadvantages of Pictograph.

• Limited data is represented on pictographs. It is not suitable for large datasets.
• It can be complex to choose a scale for our pictograph.
• Pictographs may not capture all the data details, including outliers or extreme values.
• Pictographs often lack context, which means viewers may need additional information or labels to fully understand the data being presented.

Solved Examples of Pictograph

Let us understand the concept with the help of an example.

Example 1: Draw a line graph for the given data.

Sports	Swimming	Badminton	Football	Cricket	Tennis
No. of Students	25	35	20	30	40

Solution:

Here the scaling factor is 5

Example 2: Draw a pictograph for the given data.

Days	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Ice Creams	5	15	10	20

Solution:

Here scaling factor will be 5 i.e. one picture of scaling factor will represent 5 ice creams.

Example 3: Draw a pictograph for the given data.

Time	Honda	Maruti	Tata	Hyundai	Kia
Cars	20	40	35	30	15

Solution:

Here scaling factor will be 10.

Example 4: Draw a pictograph for the given data.

Movies	Movie 1	Movie 2	Movie 3	Movie 4	Movie 4
Ratings	2	1	4	3.5	3

Solution:

Here scaling factor is 1.

Practice Question on Pictograph

Q1: Draw a pictograph based on fruit consumption.

Fruit Name	Mango	Banana	Grapes
Consumption	5	10	25

Q2: Draw a pictograph based on transportation choices by people.

Transportation	car	bus	cycle	bicycle
People	10	50	20	40

Q3: Draw a pictograph for the following data.

Disease Name	Dengue	Typhoid	Malaria	Covid
Patients	50	70	30	150

Q4: Draw a pictograph for the following data.

Products	Product A	Product B	Product C	Product D
Sale	5	25	15	35

Pictographs – FAQs

What is Pictograph in Maths?

A pictograph is nothing but a way to represent raw data in the form of images or icons which is easy to understand.

What is Meaning of Pictograph?

A pictograph is made of 2 words i.e. picture and graph which means that a graph that uses symbols or icons to make a graph is known as a pictograph.

Name some Types of pictographs.

The types of pictographs include pictographs such as icon-based pictographs, scaling icons, repeating icons, color-coded pictographs, etc.

How to Represent Data in Pictograph?

Data is represented in the pictographs using icons or symbols.

What is Scaling Factor in Pictograph?

A scaling factor in a pictograph is a number that determines how many data points each icon or symbol represents.

What are the 4 Parts of a Pictograph?

A pictograph has 4 parts namely, title of pictograph, label which explains category of data type, symbols or pictures and the key which explains the scaling of a pictograph.

How do you Read a Pictograph?

To read a pictograph, look at the symbols or pictures representing data, often accompanied by a key. Each symbol typically stands for a certain quantity, and you interpret the data by counting these symbols.

What is a Pictograph Chart?

Pictograph charts and graphs that use icons and images to represent data. They are also called pictograms.

What is a Pictograph Used for?

A pictograph is used to illustrate statistical information using picture symbols

What is Used in Pictograph?

Picture symbols are used in Pictographs.

What are the Advantages of a Pictograph?

Advantages of using Pictographs includes,

• Pictographs express large information in simpler manner.
• Pictographs are easy to read, as all the information is provided at one glance.
• Pictographs are self explanatory, etc.

What is Key in a Pictograph?

A key in a pictograph represents the value of the image.

How do you Find the Key to a Pictograph?

key to a pictograph is based on frequency of the data, we decide the frequency for one symbol.

Who Discovered Pictograph?

Ancient Chinese are one who are credited to use pictograph first.