Finding the Meaning

Interpreting Data

You can learn from text in books and online. You can also learn from other visual information.

Let’s look at how to interpret some of these examples.

Always start with the title. What is the title on this bar graph? Yes, this bar graph provides information about the heights of black cherry trees.

Next, you should read the labels. What are the labels on this line graph? Correct. This graph is giving information in billions of dollars and for specific years.

Then look for a legend or key that tells what the colors or icons mean, too. For example, which icon represents a hospital? That’s right, a circle with a red H would indicate a hospital for the corresponding map.

The National Park Service uses these symbols on their maps. What color is their hospital icon? Correct. You would look for a blue box with an H.

Let’s interpret this 3D pie chart. First, what is the title that is highlighted in green?

Good. The title is “Atmospheric Air Content,” so we know this chart will tell us what the air in the atmosphere is made of.

Next, let’s read the labels. We will start with the graph. What are the two labels highlighted in gray?

That’s right. The first column is labeled “gas,” and the second column is labeled “percentage.”

Let’s read this chart together. What percentage of the air is made of nitrogen?

Correct. There is 78% nitrogen in our atmosphere.

Now let’s look at the 3D pie chart and read the key for the colors. Which gas does red represent?

Good job. Red represents oxygen.

Looking just at the 3D pie chart and key, which gas is the least amount in our air?

Right again! Other gases make up the smallest percentage of our air.

Interpreting charts, graphs, timelines, and more can teach us lots of information and it is super fun, too!