1. Bar charts
A bar chart shows how often each category or value occurs. The height of a bar is its frequency.
Rule every bar the same width and leave gaps between the bars. Label both axes.
Before you read a bar, work out what one small square on the vertical axis is worth.
Examiner insight
Worked example 15 marks
Some runners take part in a marathon race. The bar chart shows their times, correct to the nearest hour.
(a) Write down how many runners had a time of 4 hours.
(b) Write down the most common time.
(c) Work out the total number of runners.
(d) One of the runners is chosen at random. Find the probability that this runner had a time of 5 hours. Give your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.
- 1
(a) the bar at 4 hours has height 18 [1]
- 2
(b) the tallest bar is at 5 hours [1]
- 3
(c) 10 + 18 + 27 + 23 + 12 = 90 [1]
- 4
(d) 27/90 [1]
- 5
= 3/10 [1]