Concept 3 of 5
Two-Part Data Questions
Today's big idea
Read the table once, then subtract for how many more and add for a total.
Two questions share one table, so the reading is done only once.
How it works
👀 What's going on?
One small table of numbers, and two questions hanging off it. The reading is done once, but the two questions want different things done with what you read.
💡 Here's the trick
Look at the table above. A question asking how many more sets two rows against each other and subtracts. A question asking for a total gathers every row and adds. The same table answers both, so the reading never needs repeating.
🪄 How to do it
- 1.Read every row of the table above once and hold the numbers.
- 2.For how many more, find the two rows named and subtract.
- 3.For a total, add every row together.
✍️ Try it
Books borrowed: Fiction 15, Comics 9, Poetry 6. How many more Fiction than Comics? Then: how many books were borrowed altogether?
Fifteen take away nine is 6 more Fiction books. Adding all three gives 15 plus 9 plus 6, which is 30 books altogether.
⚠️ Watch out
You might be thinking a table full of numbers means the answer uses all of them. A how many more question uses exactly two rows and ignores the rest. Reading which rows are named is more important than the arithmetic.
🌟 Why this matters
Pulling two different answers out of one set of figures is what reading any chart or timetable involves. The table is the easy part; knowing what is being asked is the skill.
Exam tip: Answer both parts from your first reading rather than going back to the table twice.
Watch me solve one
Quanta solves it
“Watch how I think through one of these — then you try.”
THE PROBLEM
“Votes: Apple 8, Mango 12, Banana 5. How many more chose Mango than Apple?”
- 1
Read the values
Mango = 12, Apple = 8. 📊
- 2
Subtract for 'how many more'
12 − 8 = 4
- 3
Answer ✓
= 4 more
Now you try one — same steps, different story 👇
See it in action
⚡ Time to play!
Read all the values first, then subtract for 'more' or add for a total.
DATA · ROUND 1 OF 3
Grapes 7, Plum 11
How many more Plums?
Quick check
✅ VERIFICATION
A data question asks how many MORE. Which operation does that need?
⚡ Finish the activity above first to answer.
Keep going!
Up next: Compare Two Expressions
Smaller left → <, bigger left → >, equal → =.