Charts, tables and data
Use the data to check what the text claims, and the text to explain what the data show.
The rules
- Read the title, labels and units before you read the numbers.
- Find the exact values you need. Estimate if the question asks for a trend.
- Check whether a claim matches the numbers, not just the direction.
- Compare, don't guess: use the largest, smallest or change between points.
Watch out: Reading the graph's shape and ignoring the axis labels or units.
Worked example
A table shows 40 students chose art and 60 chose music. What fraction chose music?
- There are 100 students in all.
- 60 out of 100 is 60%.
- 60/100 simplifies to 3/5.
Answer: 3/5.
Try it yourself
Practice questions for this skill are for signed-in students. A free account is all you need.