← Years 5–6 Data & Information

Choosing the right chart

Pick the chart that matches your question: a bar chart to compare categories, a line chart for change over time, and a pie chart for parts of a whole.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Data, Information and Privacy — Module 31, VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 59, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 112, VCE Data Analytics - U4O1 - Development and Evaluation — Module 57, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Analysing and visualising data — Module 18, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Analysing and visualising data — Module 2, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 37, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Acquiring and Validating Data — Module 118, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 33

Understanding Choosing the right chart in Years 5–6 Data & Information

What it does: A pie chart shows how a whole is split into slices, so it suits parts of a whole. Weeks are in order over time, so a line chart shows the trend clearly. A bar chart puts each category side by side, so it is easy to compare which sport has the most votes. With 6 categories to compare, bars are easier to read than thin pie slices, and they show the differences clearly.

Common mistakes: The question compares categories (types of pet), so a bar chart is the best choice. A line chart is for change over time. It should be chart = "bar". The question is about change over time (month by month), so a line chart is best. A pie chart shows parts of a whole. It should be chart = "line".

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 31–56) and word search (Modules 21–56).

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Learning
Duo
Which chart is best for comparing how many students chose each favourite sport?
Line chartBar chart
Matches
Use a pie chart to show the temperature each month of the year
↓
Temperature over months is change over time, so a line chart should be used. A pie chart shows parts of a whole.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Choosing the right chart
Meaning
Pick the chart that matches your question: a bar chart to compare categories, a line chart for change over time, and a pie chart for parts of a whole.
Practice
Question: Which pet is the most popular?
Testing
Gaps
Compare favourite pets: use a chart
Check Answer
Spots
1ask = "Favourite pet in Year 5?"
2chart = "line"

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Quick Questions

1. Which chart is best for comparing how many students chose each favourite sport?
A. Line chart
B. Bar chart ✓
A bar chart puts each category side by side, so it is easy to compare which sport has the most votes.
2. Which chart is best for showing how the temperature changed each hour during the school day?
A. Line chart ✓
B. Pie chart
A line chart joins points in order, so it shows how something goes up and down over time.
3. Which chart is best for showing what share of the class lunch orders were sandwiches, wraps or salads?
A. Pie chart ✓
B. Line chart
A pie chart shows parts of a whole. All the slices add up to the whole class lunch order.
4. True or false: You should pick a chart type by looking at the question your data answers.
A. False
B. True ✓
The best chart matches the question. Ask what you want to find out, then choose the chart that shows it clearly.
5. Mia recorded her reading minutes every day for 4 weeks. She wants to see if her reading is going up or down. Which chart should she use?
A. Line chart ✓
B. Bar chart comparing unrelated categories
Her question is about change over time, so a line chart shows the trend best.

Match the Pairs

Bar chart → Best for comparing categories, like how many students chose each favourite pet
Line chart → Best for showing change over time, like the temperature each day of the week
The question is: what fraction of the class chose each lunch option? (parts of a whole) → Pie chart
The question is: how did our class reading minutes change each week this term? (change over time) → Line chart
Use a pie chart to show the temperature each month of the year → Temperature over months is change over time, so a line chart should be used. A pie chart shows parts of a whole.
Use a line chart to compare the number of votes for 5 different sports → Sports are separate categories, so a bar chart should be used. A line chart suggests a change over time.

Key Term

Choosing the right chart
Pick the chart that matches your question: a bar chart to compare categories, a line chart for change over time, and a pie chart for parts of a whole.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Compare favourite pets: use a bar chart
Hint: Type the chart type that compares categories
2. Temperature each day: use a line chart
Hint: Type the chart type that shows change over time
3. Share of class for each fruit: pie chart
Hint: Type the chart type that shows parts of a whole
4. if question == "change over time": chart = "line"
Hint: Type the chart type that matches the question
5. A pie chart shows parts of a whole
Hint: Type the word for what all the slices add up to

Spot the Error

Question 1
A ask = "Favourite pet in Year 5?"
B chart = "line"
C show(chart)
Line B — The question compares categories (types of pet), so a bar chart is the best choice. A line chart is for change over time. It should be chart = "bar".
Question 2
A ask = "How did rain change?"
B data = "mm of rain per month"
C x_axis = "month"
D chart = "pie"
Line D — The question is about change over time (month by month), so a line chart is best. A pie chart shows parts of a whole. It should be chart = "line".
Question 3
A ask = "Share of lunch types?"
B data = "% per lunch type"
C chart = "line"
Line C — The question asks about parts of a whole (each lunch type's share), so a pie chart is best. A line chart is for change over time. It should be chart = "pie".
Question 4
A ask = "Which team won most?"
B data = "points for each team"
C chart = "line"
Line C — Comparing the points of different teams is comparing categories, so a bar chart is best. The line chart does not fit this question. It should be chart = "bar".
Question 5
A ask = "Temperature each day?"
B data = "degrees for each day"
C chart = "pie"
Line C — Temperature across days is change over time, so a line chart is best. A pie chart cannot show change over time. It should be chart = "line".

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