A pictograph is an image-based data representation. Pictographs basically use symbols or images that are relevant to the data to represent the frequency of data. This is one of the most basic ways of representing statistical data. Reading a pictograph is also made extremely simple.
In other words, a pictograph employs images and symbols to convey information about the data presented. Pictographs should be used with caution and are very convenient to use, but they can also lead to data misinterpretation. Pictographs should be drawn in a visually correct manner because most data is interpreted visually. To easily interpret the data, various pictorial representations of data such as bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, and so on are available. An example is the best way to explain a pictograph.
What is a Pie Chart?
A pie chart (also recognised as a circle chart) is indeed a circular mathematical graphic that is split into slices to demonstrate numerical proportion. Each slice’s arc length (and thus its central angle and area) in a pie chart is proportional to the quantity it signifies. While it gets its name from its resemblance to a sliced pie, there are several ways to present it. The first known pie chart is attributed to William Playfair’s Statistical Breviary of 1801.
In the business world and the media, pie charts are very popular. They have, however, been criticised, and several experts recommend against using them because a study has shown that comparing different sections of a provided pie chart is difficult. or data across different pie charts. In most cases, other plots, such as the bar chart, can be used instead of pie charts.
When Should a Pie Chart be Used?
Pie charts have a relatively narrow use-case which is well encapsulated by their definition. You must have an entire quantity that has been subdivided into distinct parts in order to use a pie chart. In a pie chart, your main goalmouth must be to liken all group’s influence to the entire, rather than associating collections to all other. If the above criteria are not met, the pie chart is unsuitable, and a dissimilar conspiracy kind must be used in its place.
There are two kinds of values that make up a whole and categories that divide it. First and foremost, when the ‘whole’ represents a total number. Examples include the amount of ballots cast in an vote estranged by candidate, or the amount of dealings alienated by operator type (e.g. guest, novel operator, current user). Cuemath explains this topic in detail in a very fun way, do visit the website to know more.
How to make a Pictograph?
Let’s look at an example. We need to use a pictograph to show how many TV sets have been sold in the last few years. So let’s get started.
- Collect Data: The first step is obviously to collect data for the category that you want to represent. Collect your data using the proper methods. The data should then be organised into a list or table. And I finally went over the data one time.
- Choose your symbol: Choose a symbol or image that accurately depicts your data. If you’re making a pictograph to represent the sale of TV sets, a basketball symbol would be extremely confusing! So choose your symbol wisely.
- Assign a Key: The frequency of the data can be too high at times. Then a single symbol cannot represent a single frequency. You must specify a numerical value that will be represented by one symbol. This numerical value, along with the pictograph, must be written. For example, one TV symbol represents 500 TV sets. This is the pictograph’s key.
- Draw your pictograph: The final step is to draw your pictograph. Create two columns to represent the category and data. Then, draw the actual symbols for the frequencies. Remember that if the frequency is not a whole number, the symbols can also be drawn as fractions.
- Review your Data: Finally, go over your data and make sure your pictograph accurately represents the information you wanted to convey. Don’t forget to double-check your graph’s labeling.
