Concept 3 of 6
Pictographs
Today's big idea
Each picture stands for a number, so count the pictures and times the key.
1 star = 2 books, so 4 stars = 8 books.
How it works
👀 What's going on?
One picture can stand for many. A key tells you how many.
💡 Here's the trick
In a pictograph each picture stands for a set number. Count the pictures, then multiply by the key.
Key: 1 star = 2 books. A row of 4 stars means 4 × 2 = 8 books.
✍️ Try it
Key: 1 apple = 5. A row of 3 apples is how many? → 15.
⚠️ Watch out
Always check the key, or you will count each picture as just 1.
Watch me solve one
Quanta solves it
“Watch how I think through one of these — then you try.”
THE PROBLEM
“Key: 1 apple = 5. A row shows 3 apples. How many is that?”
- 1
Check the key
Each apple stands for 5.
- 2
Times the pictures
3 × 5 = 15.
- 3
Answer ✓
15
Now you try one — same steps, different story 👇
See it in action
⚡ Time to play!
Each picture stands for 2. Count, then times the key.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
key: 1 ⭐ = 2
4 × 2 = ?
Quick check
✅ VERIFICATION
One picture stands for 10. A row shows 4 pictures. How many is that?
⚡ Finish the activity above first to answer.
Keep going!
Up next: Reading Bar Graphs
Follow the top of the bar to the scale.