Pictograms – Construction & Uses 🖼️📊
Pictograms are the most attractive form of data presentation, especially useful in:
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Children’s books
- Marketing reports
They use pictures or icons to represent numerical data.
What Is a Pictogram?
Definition:
A pictogram uses pictures, icons, or symbols to represent data.
Each picture represents a specific quantity.
Example of a Pictogram
Suppose 1 icon = 10 students.
| Course | No. of Students |
|---|---|
| BCom | 50 |
| BBA | 30 |
Pictogram:
BCom → 🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵
BBA → 🔵🔵🔵
(Each 🔵 = 10 students)
Steps to Construct a Pictogram 🧩
1. Choose a Suitable Symbol
Examples:
- 👨🎓 for students
- 🛒 for sales
- 🚗 for cars
2. Decide the Unit Value
Each symbol must represent a fixed quantity:
Example: 1 symbol = 100 kg of wheat.
3. Draw the Pictogram
Repeat the symbol according to quantity.
4. Provide a Key
The MOST important part.
Example:
Key: 1 icon = 10 units
ASCII Diagram — Steps for Pictogram
Choose Symbol
↓
Fix Unit Value
↓
Draw Icons
↓
Give Key
Advantages ✔️
- Attractive & easy to understand
- Useful for young learners
- Effective for presentations
- Communicates faster than numbers
Limitations ❌
- Not precise
- Difficult when values are large
- Half-symbols confusing
- Not suitable for detailed analysis
Pictograms are simple, fun, and visual, but not accurate enough for scientific work.
Summary ✨
Pictograms use icons to represent data visually.
They require:
- Symbol selection
- Unit assignment
- A proper key
Widely used in media and marketing.
Quiz Time! 🎯
Test Your Knowledge
Question 1 of 5
1. Pictograms represent data using: