5-16 Using a Double Bar Graph

A bar graph is a graph that uses bars to show data.  Bar length is important.  The highest or longest bar has the most.  The smallest or shortest bar has the least or fewest.  Every bar graph has a Title at the top that tells you what the graph is about.

Bar graphs may be vertical or horizontal.  Vertical means up and down.  Horizontal means across or left to right.

In the bar graph below, you will see two different colored bars.  This is called a double bar graph.  Double bar graphs are used for comparing data.

Every bar graph has a Scale, which are the numbers listed on one axis (side or bottom) of the graph.  In the graph below, the Scale (Number of Votes) is on the horizontal axis.  The other axis on the graph below lists the Subjects and is called the vertical axis.  Note: The Scale could be switched around so that it would be on the vertical axis and then the Subjects would be listed on the horizontal axis.

The horizontal double bar graph below uses a Scale of two.  This means the numbers in the Scale count by two (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and so on).   Be careful when the bar ends between two numbers.

If the bar ends between 4 and 6, then the answer is 5.

If the bar ends between 8 and 10 then the answer is 9.

Look at the graph below and answer the questions that follow.

1.  How many students in 4th grade chose Math as their favorite subject?

2.  How many students in 5th grade chose Math as their favorite subject? 

3.  How many students in 4th grade chose Science as their favorite subject?

4.  How many students in 5th grade chose Science as their favorite subject?

5.  How many more students in 5th grade like Science than in 4th grade?

6.  How many students in 4th grade said Social Studies is their favorite?

7.  How many students in 5th grade said Social Studies is their favorite?

8.  How many more students in 4th grade like Social Studies than in 5th grade?

9.  How many students in 4th grade chose Language Arts as their favorite?

10.  How many students in 5th grade chose Language Arts as their favorite?

11.  How many more students in 4th grade like Language Arts than in 5th grade?

12.  What was the most popular subject in 4th grade?

13.  What was the most popular subject in 5th grade?

14.  Of either grade, which subject received the fewest votes?

15.  What is the Title of the graph?

Number of Votes

Favorite Subjects

Subjects

16.  What is the Scale label on this graph?

Favorite Subjects

Subjects

Number of Votes

17.  What kind of graph is above?

Horizontal Bar Graph

Horizontal Double Bar Graph

Vertical Double Bar Graph

Vertical Bar Graph

18.  The Number of Votes label is on the

Vertical axis.

Horizontal axis.

19.  How many students voted for favorite subject in 4th grade?

20.  How many students voted for favorite subject in 5th grade?