Bar graphs, step by step

One graph, three questions under it — the shape a bar graph worksheet has always had on paper.

The question
Our favorite sport
012345678FootballSwimmingRunningCycling

How many fewer chose swimming than chose running?

Our favorite sport

key:1 = 1 vote
Football:2 up2 votes
Swimming:6 up6 votes
Running:8 up8 votes
Cycling:7 up7 votes
Football:2 up2 votes
Swimming:6 up6 votes
Running:8 up8 votes
Cycling:7 up7 votes
2 votes
  1. Check the key first, every time. Here one square is one vote, so counting is enough — but that is a fact to check, not to assume.
  2. So the counts read straight off: Football 2, Swimming 6, Running 8, Cycling 7.
  3. Now the question, on the NUMBERS rather than the marks: Swimming is 8 − 6 = 2 fewer than Running. So the answer is 2 votes.

How it works.

  1. 01

    Check the key first, every time. Here one square is one vote, so counting is enough — but that is a fact to check, not to assume.

  2. 02

    So the counts read straight off: Football 2, Swimming 6, Running 8, Cycling 7.

  3. 03

    Now the question, on the NUMBERS rather than the marks: Swimming is 8 − 6 = 2 fewer than Running. So the answer is 2 votes.