Class 3 Data Handling Worksheet – Bar Graphs, Pictographs & Data Interpretation

Master data handling for Class 3 with our worksheet. Includes scaled pictographs, bar graphs, and data interpretation. Includes solved examples and practice questions to help your child analyse and compare real-world data.

What is Data Handling?

Data Handling is the process of collecting, organising, and representing information so we can understand it better and make decisions. In Class 3, we move beyond simple counting. We learn to read scaled pictographs where one symbol represents more than one item, interpret bar graphs using a Y-axis scale, and analyse data to find patterns, totals, and differences.

Key Concepts at a Glance

Scaled Pictographs: One symbol now represents multiple items. For example, one apple symbol might equal 5 apples. Always check the key before counting.

Bar Graphs: Bars of different heights are read against a scale on the Y-axis to find exact values and compare quantities.

Data Interpretation: Reading data is not enough. We now ask deeper questions — which is the most, which is the least, what is the difference, and what is the total.

Solved Example

A school surveyed 50 students about their favourite sports. The bar graph shows: Cricket (18), Football (12), Badminton (15), Swimming (5).

How to Read and Interpret the Bar Graph

First, check the Y-axis scale to understand what each unit represents. Then read the height of each bar to find the value. Cricket has the tallest bar at 18 students, making it the most popular. Swimming has the shortest bar at 5 students, making it the least popular. To find the total, add all values: 18 + 12 + 15 + 5 = 50. To find the difference between Cricket and Football: 18 − 12 = 6 students.

Practice Problems

• A scaled pictograph shows flowers where each symbol represents 2 flowers. Red has 4 symbols, Yellow has 3. How many of each flower are there? → Reading Scaled Pictographs
• A weekly temperature table shows readings from Monday to Friday. Identify the hottest and coolest days, then calculate the difference between them. → Analysing Data in Tables
• A pictograph shows favourite ice cream flavours where each symbol represents 4 children. Find the total number of children surveyed and identify the least popular flavour. → Interpreting and Totalling Scaled Data
• A library recorded books borrowed across three categories. Find the total books and identify which category had the least. → Summing and Comparing Categories
• A sports store tracked sales of three items across two weeks. Which items increased or decreased? → Comparing Data Across Time Periods
• A fruit vendor tracked sales over 3 days using a pictograph where each symbol equals 5 kg. Which fruit sold more overall and what was the total weight sold on a given day? → Multi-variable Data Interpretation

Scoring Guide

• 21–24 marks: Excellent! Try designing your own surveys, collecting real data, and presenting it using bar graphs or pictographs.
• 17–20 marks: Very Good! Focus on creating bar graphs from tables and practising pictographs with different scales.
• 13–16 marks: Good! Strengthen your understanding of scaled pictographs and practise converting between data representations.
• 9–12 marks: Keep Practicing! Go back to tally marks and simple tables. Build up to scaled pictographs step by step.
• 0–8 marks: Keep Trying! Start with basic tally marks and simple tables, then gradually move to pictographs with adult guidance.

Tips for Mastering Data Handling

Always check the key – In scaled pictographs, one symbol can represent many items. Reading the key first prevents counting errors.

Master the Y-axis – Before reading a bar graph, understand what the scale represents. This is where most mistakes happen.

Think beyond counting – Class 3 data handling asks you to find totals, differences, and make comparisons. Practice these three operations with every graph or table you see.

Collect real data – Track something at home like daily screen time, meals eaten, or birds spotted. Organise it into a table, then turn it into a bar graph.

Use graph paper for accuracy – When drawing bar graphs, graph paper keeps bars neat and aligned to the scale.

Compare across categories – Practice spotting which value is the highest, which is the lowest, and which changed the most over time.

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