Data — Victorian Year 4 Maths
Many-to-one picture graphs, reading tables, column graphs and dot plots, and running a statistical investigation. Three subtopics and 60 questions with answers, aligned to VC2M4ST01, VC2M4ST02 and VC2M4ST03.
Data in Victorian Year 4
This topic is about collecting, showing and reading data. Students read and make picture graphs where one picture stands for several things, interpret tables, column graphs and dot plots, and plan their own investigations, from writing a fair survey question to explaining what the results show.
The three subtopics below are constructing and interpreting many-to-one picture graphs, interpreting data displays, and planning and conducting a statistical investigation. Data is one of the 20 topics in Victorian Year 4 Maths and sits in the Statistics strand. It covers Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes VC2M4ST01, VC2M4ST02 and VC2M4ST03. These skills lead on to choosing and comparing displays for larger sets of data in later years.
Subtopics
Data: common questions
What is a many-to-one picture graph?
It is a picture graph where each picture stands for more than one item, as shown in the key. With a key of 1 star = 3 stickers, a row of 5 stars shows \(5 \times 3 = 15\) stickers. To draw 21 stickers, divide by the key: \(21 \div 3 = 7\) stars.
How do you read a column graph?
Go to the top of the column, then read across to the scale on the side. If the scale goes up in 2s, a column that stops halfway between 8 and 10 shows 9. Check the scale every time: many mistakes come from counting grid lines instead of reading the numbers.
What makes a good survey question?
A good question is clear, says who is being asked, gives fair choices and includes an "other" option. "Which pet would you most like: dog, cat, fish, bird or other?" is fair, but "Dogs are the best pet, aren’t they?" pushes people towards one answer.
How can my child practise data at home?
Run a small survey with family or friends, such as favourite fruit or the colours of cars driving past, and keep a tally in groups of five. Turn the results into a picture graph with a key, then talk about what the graph shows and what it cannot tell you.
Which curriculum codes cover Data in Victorian Year 4?
The topic covers Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes VC2M4ST01 (collecting data and showing it in many-to-one picture graphs, column graphs and other displays), VC2M4ST02 (judging how well different displays show and compare data) and VC2M4ST03 (carrying out statistical investigations and sharing the results).