How to explain interpret data in tables in tables to your child: Example question
31 October 2026
Tables are a simple way to show information clearly. When your child learns to read tables, they can answer questions by picking out the right numbers and making sense of the data.
Here is a practical example you can use to help your child understand how to interpret data in tables.
Example question
Look at the table below showing the number of pets owned by children in a class.
| Pet | Number of Children |
|----------|-------------------|
| Dogs | 8 |
| Cats | 5 |
| Rabbits | 3 |
| Hamsters | 4 |
Question: How many children own dogs and hamsters altogether?
Step 1: Find the number of children who own dogs.
Look at the table under Dogs. It says 8 children.
Step 2: Find the number of children who own hamsters.
Look at the table under Hamsters. It says 4 children.
Step 3: Add these two numbers together. 8 + 4 = 12
Answer:
12 children own dogs or hamsters altogether.
After working through this example, your child will recognise how to find and combine information from a table. This skill is useful for many 11+ maths questions. Now, they can try similar problems to build confidence.
