Arithmetic Grade Five

Lesson One hundred and sixty-two: Bar Graphs

Bar graphs are another way to present information. Take a close look at the following example:

This bar graph represents DVD sales. On the left side is a scale showing the number of units sold. This scale shows the numbers 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 with lines for each of these numbers. Other lines are between each of these values. These lines represent 50, 150, 250, 350, and 450. In this example there are four types of DVDs being compared: Children's, Comedy, Action, and Drama. These labels appear along the bottom of the chart. The bars of different colors represent the sales for each of these types of DVD. According to this chart:

Using this chart we can answer questions like: 

  1) Which type of DVD sold the most? 
     ANSWER: Drama

  2) How many Action DVDs were sold than Comedy DVDS?
     ANSWER: 250 - 100 = 150

  3) How many Comedy and Action DVDs were sold in all?
     ANSWER: 100 + 250 = 350

Here's another bar graph to inspect.

This bar graph represents the number of vacation trips people took to various places. According to this chart:

Using this chart we can answer questions like: 

  1) Where did the largest number of people go on vacation?
     ANSWER: 3600

  2) How many people went to Texas on vacation?
     ANSWER: 2000

  3) How many more people went to Hawaii than Texas?
     ANSWER: 3600 - 2000 = 1600

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