Read the values off the graph first. Then do the arithmetic.
Step 1: Let's Learn
Read it, or press Listen and follow the words.
Some need two steps
"How many more apples than balls and fish together?" needs three readings and two steps.
Write the values down
Note each value as you read it. Holding three numbers in your head is where mistakes come from.
Questions that need two readings
"How many more did Tuesday have than Thursday?" needs you to read two bars and then subtract. "How many altogether on Monday and Tuesday?" needs two readings and an addition. The graph supplies the numbers; you supply the operation.
Write the readings down
Note each value as you read it — Tuesday 35, Thursday 20 — before doing anything with them. Holding two graph readings in your head while also deciding on an operation is where errors creep in.
Answer the question that was asked
"How many more" wants the difference, not the total. "How many in the two days together" wants the total. Reread the question after calculating and check that your number answers it. Graph questions are often misread rather than miscalculated.
Step 2: Try It Yourself
Tap and try it out.
Apples
Balls
Fish
Key: each symbol stands for 5.
There are 65 in all.
Apples has the most. It has 30 more than Fish.
Step 3: Watch an Example
One step at a time.
Watch Ana Take Two Steps
A graph with a scale of 5 shows apples 40, balls 15, and fish 10.
- Step 1
She is asked how many more apples than balls and fish together.
Step 4: Your Turn
Practice makes it stick.
Comparing Columns
Problem 1 of 3
Apples 40, balls 15. How many more apples?
Two Together
Problem 2 of 3
Balls 15 and fish 10. How many altogether?
The Two-Step
Problem 3 of 3
Apples 40. Balls 15 and fish 10. How many more apples than the other two together?
Read, Then Work
1 of 3
Bars of 35 and 20. How many more is the first?
2 of 3
Bars of 25, 15 and 30. What is the total?
3 of 3
Bars of 45, 20 and 10. How many more is the first than the other two together?
Step 5: Quick Check
Show what you know.
Question 1 of 2
Bars of 40, 15 and 5. How many more is the first than the other two together?
Question 2 of 2
What should you do before the arithmetic?
What You Learned
- Read the values off the graph first.
- Write each one down as you read it.
- Then do the arithmetic in order.