How to explain interpret bar graphs in bar charts to your child: Example question
31 October 2026
Bar graphs are a simple way to compare groups or categories. Each bar shows how many there are of something, so you can see which is the biggest or smallest at a glance.
When you look at a bar graph, check the labels and numbers. This helps you answer questions like which group is most popular, or how two groups compare.
Example question
Look at this bar graph. It shows the number of children who chose each pet:
Dogs: 9 Cats: 6 Fish: 4 Rabbits: 6
How many more children chose dogs than fish?
Step 1: Find the bar for dogs. It shows 9.
Step 2: Find the bar for fish. It shows 4.
Step 3: Subtract the smaller number from the bigger number: 9 - 4 = 5.
Answer: 5 more children chose dogs than fish.
Key insight: Your child can now spot the difference between two bars by reading the heights and working out the gap. This makes it easier to answer questions about bar graphs in homework or tests.
There are plenty more practice questions just like this to help build confidence with bar charts.
