A pictogram uses repeated symbols to show counts. The key states the value of one complete symbol; multiply to read a count and divide to find how many symbols to draw.
Foundation & Higher6 worked examples10 original questions
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Start with the meaning
What you need to know about pictograms
Imagine replacing each group of four library books with one small square. Twelve books become three squares. This is a pictogram: a picture-based count. The key ‘one square = four books’ tells the reader what the picture means. Without a key, three squares could mean three books, twelve books or some other total.
See the idea first
A fraction of a symbol means a fraction of its value
In this key, half a square represents half of four books: two. The second row has two whole squares and a half, so it represents 8 + 2 = 10 books. A half symbol is cut in half; it is not simply a smaller whole square.
A represents 12 books. B represents 10: two whole symbols give eight books and half a symbol gives two. Symbols keep the same size.
From problem to method
Typical problems you need to be able to solve
These are the main kinds of question in this topic. Each card first states the problem, then explains how to solve it.
Read a row
What the problem asks: One symbol means 8 visitors. Read 3½ symbols.
How to solve it: Three whole symbols represent 24 visitors and a half represents 4, giving 28.
Draw a row
What the problem asks: Show 18 tickets with a key of 4 tickets per symbol.
How to solve it: 18 ÷ 4 = 4½. Draw four full symbols and one half symbol, all using the same full-symbol size.
Find a missing key
What the problem asks: Five full symbols stand for 35 votes. Find the key.
How to solve it: Share the total equally across the symbols: 35 ÷ 5 = 7 votes per symbol.
A reliable routine
Convert between symbols and counts
Use the key as a fixed exchange rate. It works because each identical full symbol represents the same number of observations.
Read the key and identify any half or quarter symbols.
To find a count, multiply the number of symbols by the key value.
To draw a count, divide it by the key value.
Keep symbol sizes and spacing consistent, and include the key and labels.
Check: Choose a key that gives manageable symbols. If one symbol represents four whole people, a quarter symbol represents one person. Avoid a key that would require unexplained awkward fractions of a symbol.
Fully worked
Pictograms GCSE worked examples
Each solution explains the clue, why the method fits and how to check the result.
Example 1
Read a row
2 marks
Question
In the displayed pictogram, how many books are in class A?
A represents 12 books. B represents 10: two whole symbols give eight books and half a symbol gives two. Symbols keep the same size.
Three full squares, each worth four books:
3×4=12
Example 2
Read a half symbol
2 marks
Question
How many books are in class B in the displayed pictogram?
A represents 12 books. B represents 10: two whole symbols give eight books and half a symbol gives two. Symbols keep the same size.
2×4=821×4=28+2=10
Example 3
Compare rows
2 marks
Question
How many more books does A have than B?
A represents 12 books. B represents 10: two whole symbols give eight books and half a symbol gives two. Symbols keep the same size.
Read the actual counts first.
12−10=2 books
Example 4
Construct from counts
3 marks
Question
Draw a pictogram for A = 12 books and B = 10 books, using 4 books per symbol.
A needs 12 ÷ 4 = 3 whole symbols. B needs 10 ÷ 4 = 2½ symbols. Include the key and row labels.
A represents 12 books. B represents 10: two whole symbols give eight books and half a symbol gives two. Symbols keep the same size.
Example 5
Recover the key
3 marks
Question
A row of 4½ symbols represents 27 people. What does one full symbol mean?
Divide by the number of symbols, not just the whole ones.
27÷4.5=6
The key is one full symbol = 6 people.
Example 6
Choose a useful key
3 marks
Question
Counts are 8, 14 and 20. Explain why 4 per symbol is a practical key.
The rows need
8/4=2,14/4=3.5,20/4=5
Only whole and half symbols are required. A key of 1 would need many more symbols.
10 original questions · total 21 marks
Pictograms GCSE exam-style questions
Try each question before opening its fully worked answer. The difficulty rises through the set.
Before you startAllow about 26 minutes · Show your working. Give exact answers unless a question asks you to round, and include units where needed. · answers start collapsed
1
Whole symbols
2 marks
One symbol means 5 cars. Read four full symbols.
Show worked answer
4×5=20 cars
2
Half symbols
2 marks
One symbol means 10 votes. Read 2½ symbols.
Show worked answer
2.5×10=25 votes
3
Quarter symbol
2 marks
One symbol means 8 pupils. What does one quarter mean?
Show worked answer
8/4=2 pupils
4
Draw a count
2 marks
Show 21 books using 6 books per symbol. How many symbols?
Show worked answer
21/6=3.5
Draw 3½ symbols.
5
Find the key
2 marks
Three symbols represent 24 tickets. Find the key.
Show worked answer
24/3=8
One symbol represents 8 tickets.
6
Difference
2 marks
A has 5 symbols and B has 3, with a key of 7 people. Find the difference in people.
Show worked answer
(5−3)×7=14 people
7
Total
2 marks
Two rows have 2½ and 3½ symbols; each symbol means 4 items. Find the total.
Show worked answer
(2.5+3.5)×4=6×4=24
8
Missing row
3 marks
Three groups total 50. Two rows show 4 and 3 symbols, each worth 5. How many symbols for the last group?
S2 pictograms for categorical data across tiers: keys, fractional symbols, construction and missing values. Questions, suggested marks, solutions and diagrams are original practice material, not official past-paper questions.
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