← Years 5–6 Data & Information

Same data, different representations

A way of showing the same data, such as a table, list, picture, symbol or chart. You choose the one that best suits your purpose and your audience.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Data, Information and Privacy — Module 4, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Analysing and visualising data — Module 16, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data and Programming Techniques — Module 28, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Data Management — Module 18

Understanding Same data, different representations in Years 5–6 Data & Information

What it does: Icons are a representation that uses pictures instead of words or numbers, so they suit audiences who need a quick, simple message. The same data can be shown in different ways. The best choice depends on who will use it and what they need to know. A table shows exact values clearly. A pie chart with no labels hides the numbers. A chart lets people compare sizes at a glance. A long paragraph makes people hunt for the answer. Pick the representation that fits your purpose. A line chart is great for showing how something changes over time. Good data representation matches what you want to show and who you are showing it to.

Common mistakes: A pie chart shows parts of a whole, not change over time. A line chart is the right choice for temperatures across days. The data says Dogs 8, so the table row must show 8. A table has to show the same data as the original list.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 1–10) and word search (Modules 1–20).

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Learning
Duo
A class collects data on favourite fruit. Which shows the same data in a different way?
Changing the votes so the chart looks biggerShowing it as a table and then as a column chart
Matches
Showing 200 exact scores using only a tiny icon
↓
An icon cannot show exact values, so this is the wrong representation for the purpose. A table would show the exact scores.
Applying
Meanings
Term
data representation
Meaning
A way of showing the same data, such as a table, list, picture, symbol or chart. You choose the one that best suits your purpose and your audience.
Practice
Pet votes as a list:
Testing
Gaps
represent(pets, )
Check Answer
Spots
1Data: Mon 20, Tue 22, Wed 25
2Show it: pie chart over time

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Quick Questions

1. A class collects data on favourite fruit. Which shows the same data in a different way?
A. Showing it as a table and then as a column chart ✓
B. Changing the votes so the chart looks bigger
Data representation means showing the same data in different ways. The data itself stays the same, only how you show it changes.
2. You want to see exact numbers for every student's spelling score. Which is the best choice?
A. A pie chart with no labels
B. A table ✓
A table shows exact values clearly. A pie chart with no labels hides the numbers.
3. You want to quickly show which pet is the MOST popular in your class. Which works best?
A. A long paragraph of text
B. A column chart ✓
A chart lets people compare sizes at a glance. A long paragraph makes people hunt for the answer.
4. A sign at the pool shows a picture of a person swimming with a red line through it. What is this an example of?
A. A symbol that shows information without words ✓
B. A table that stores exact numbers
Symbols and icons use pictures to share a message quickly, even for people who cannot read the words.
5. You are making a weather app for Prep students who are just learning to read. Which is the better way to show a rainy day?
A. A cloud icon with raindrops ✓
B. The text 'Precipitation probability: 80%'
Choose a representation that suits your audience. Young children understand pictures and icons more easily than hard words.

Match the Pairs

Table: Mon 3, Tue 5, Wed 2 → Shows exact numbers in rows and columns so people can look up each value
Bar chart: Mon ▇▇▇ Tue ▇▇▇▇▇ Wed ▇▇ → Shows the same numbers as bars so you can compare sizes at a glance
A symbol or icon can stand for data so that young children or visitors can understand it quickly → ☀ = sunny, ☂ = rainy, ☁ = cloudy
Choose the representation that best suits your purpose and your audience → Audience: Prep class → use pictures. Audience: Maths teacher → use a table
Showing 200 exact scores using only a tiny icon → An icon cannot show exact values, so this is the wrong representation for the purpose. A table would show the exact scores.
Using a long table of numbers to show a Prep class which pet is most popular → A long table is hard for young children to read. A picture graph or a simple chart suits this audience better.

Key Term

data representation
A way of showing the same data, such as a table, list, picture, symbol or chart. You choose the one that best suits your purpose and your audience.

Fill in the Blanks

1. # Show exact numbers in rows and columns represent(pets, table)
Hint: Type the representation that organises data into rows and columns.
2. # Compare which pet is most popular represent(votes, chart)
Hint: Type the representation that makes comparing amounts easy at a glance.
3. audience = "Prep class" represent(votes, icons)
Hint: Type the representation that uses small pictures or symbols for young children.
4. if goal == "exact numbers": represent(data, table)
Hint: Type the operator that checks whether the purpose matches the text.
5. data = [5, 8, 3] table(data) chart(data)
Hint: Type the variable name that holds the same numbers shown in a different way.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Data: Mon 20, Tue 22, Wed 25
B Show it: pie chart over time
C Title: Daily temperature
Line B — A pie chart shows parts of a whole, not change over time. A line chart is the right choice for temperatures across days.
Question 2
A Data: Cats 5, Dogs 8, Fish 3
B Table row 1: Cats | 5
C Table row 2: Dogs | 3
D Table row 3: Fish | 3
Line C — The data says Dogs 8, so the table row must show 8. A table has to show the same data as the original list.
Question 3
A Weather data: Sunny, Rainy
B Icon for Sunny: sun
C Icon for Rainy: sun
D Icons help young readers
Line C — A sun icon means sunny weather. Rainy should use a raincloud icon so the symbol matches the data.
Question 4
A Audience: Prep students
B Data: favourite fruits
C Show it: picture graph
D Use: tiny text and long tables
Line D — Young students find big icons and few words easiest to read. Tiny text and long tables don't suit this audience.
Question 5
A A table shows data in circles
B A chart shows data visually
C Both can show the same data
Line A — A table shows data in rows and columns, not circles. The line should say: A table shows data in rows.

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