Collecting and displaying data

A survey helps us answer a question by collecting data. First decide what you want to find out, then write a clear question. Good survey questions give people a set of choices, for example “Which fruit do you like best: apple, banana, orange or grapes?”

As people answer, record each answer with a tally mark. Draw one line for each answer, and draw the fifth line across the previous four. Groups of five are quick to count: two groups of five and three more lines make 13.

Next, count the tally marks and write the totals in a frequency table. Here is a survey of 20 people about their favourite fruit:

• Apple: 7
• Banana: 5
• Orange: 3
• Grapes: 5

A column graph shows this data as columns. Draw a horizontal axis with the four fruits and a vertical axis with a scale that counts up evenly (for example 0, 1, 2, 3 …). Draw each column up to the right height. Give the graph a title and label both axes.

A picture graph uses symbols instead of columns. A key tells you what each symbol is worth. If one smiley face stands for 2 people, then 3 faces stand for 6 people, and half a face stands for 1 person.

Finally, describe what the data shows. For the fruit survey we could say: “Apple was the most popular fruit, chosen by 7 people.” “Banana and grapes were equally popular.” “4 more people chose apple than orange.”