Objective

In pictographs we learn to recognize different things in our surroundings and to express the given information through pictorial symbols of different objects. Here we learn the definition of

• Pictograph
• Interpretation of a Pictograph
• Drawing a Pictograph

Pictograph

The expression or illustration regarding the different information about any object or objects or activities through pictures or picture symbols is called pictorial representation or pictograph.

The picture visually helps you to understand the data. The picture visually helps you to understand the data. A pictograph helps us to answer questions on the data at a glance. The key for a pictograph tells the number that each picture or symbol represents. Pictographs are often used by dailies and magazines to attract reader’s attention.

 

Interpretation of a Pictograph

The same type of pictures or symbols is used to represent or number of objects. The quantity that each symbol represents is indicated clearly in the representation.In interpreting a pictograph, we get a lot of information regarding the pictograph items.

It is helpful to have a picture stand for more than one item as we are able to show large number. A pictograph has a title and is labeled. Below example depicts the interpretation of pictograph.

The given pictograph expresses the following information:

• The kinds of conveyance used by the students.
• The number of students using conveyances and the number of students coming and going on foot.
• The number of students using school-bus, own car, bicycle, rickshaw, taxi, etc.
• Percentage of students using hired tempo or rickshaw, own car or scooter, cycle etc., fraction of students coming and going without any vehicle.
• Percentage of students related to rich family. Students having their own cars belong to rich families.

Drawing a Pictograph

• First of all, the related data is collected. For example, to form the pictograph showing the number of boys and girls in different classes and in the school as a whole, the number of boys and girls in different classes are counted.
As, I (35B, 20G), II (30B, 10G), III (10B, 30G), IV (25B, 35G), V (20B, 20G) [B for boys, G for girls]

•  Different symbols are selected for different types of data. As, for the symbol of a boy and a girl, we select a boy’s face and a face with long hair for a girl.

• A framework containing columns and rows is made according to necessity.

• The related symbols are made at proper places. The symbol must be clear, simple and recognizable. They should be self-explanatory.

• One symbol may represent many, i.e., 1, 5, 10, 20, etc., units. The quantity that each symbol represents is clearly indicated in the pictograph.

Summary

• We have learnt the definition of pictograph as “A pictograph represents data through pictures of objects”.
• We learnt how a pictograph represents data in the form of pictures, objects or parts of objects.
• We have also seen how to interpret a pictograph and answer the related questions.
• We have drawn pictographs using symbols to represent a certain number of items or things.