The idea, step by step
Compare the counts
A table and a display can tell the same story. Here there are 5 sandwich choices, 3 wrap choices and 2 rice choices. The picture display shows the same counts.
The most is the largest count: sandwich. The fewest is the smallest count: rice. Sandwich has two more choices than wrap, because 5 − 3 = 2.
| Food | Children |
|---|---|
| Sandwich | 5 |
| Wrap | 3 |
| Rice | 2 |
Stay within the information
A good conclusion answers the question using the recorded information. Sandwich was the most common choice in this group is supported by the counts.
The table does not prove that everyone in the school prefers sandwiches. It describes the ten children who answered. It also does not tell us why they chose those foods. That needs another question.
A common trap
Saying two displays match just because their totals match.
Instead: Check every category. Equal totals can hide different group counts.
See the thinking
Compare two rows
How many more children chose sandwich than rice?
| Food | Children |
|---|---|
| Sandwich | 5 |
| Wrap | 3 |
| Rice | 2 |
- Read the counts: sandwich 5 and rice 2.
- Find the difference: 5 − 2 = 3.
- Answer using the meaning of the counts.
Check a second display
Another display shows Sandwich 5, Wrap 2, Rice 3. Does it match the table?
| Food | Children |
|---|---|
| Sandwich | 5 |
| Wrap | 3 |
| Rice | 2 |
- Compare each named group.
- Sandwich matches, but Wrap and Rice do not.
- Both totals are ten, but the group counts differ.
Check your understanding
Red has 4 responses and Blue has 4. Can we say red was chosen more often?
Show answer
No. They were chosen equally often.
The counts are both four, so their difference is zero.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Which lunch was chosen most often?
Lunch choices: one choice per child. Food Children Sandwich 5 Wrap 3 Rice 2 - How many children answered the lunch question?
Lunch choices: one choice per child. Food Children Sandwich 5 Wrap 3 Rice 2 - How many fewer children chose rice than wrap?
Lunch choices: one choice per child. Food Children Sandwich 5 Wrap 3 Rice 2 - A picture display has Animals 4, Space 2 and Stories 5. Does it match the book table? Explain.
Books chosen by a group. Type Number Animals 4 Space 2 Stories 5 - Can the vehicle table tell us which car colour was most common? Explain.
Vehicles observed in five minutes. Vehicle Number Car 6 Bus 2 Bicycle 3 - Write one conclusion supported by the pet display, and one question it cannot answer.
Read the worked solutions
- Which lunch was chosen most often?
Lunch choices: one choice per child. Food Children Sandwich 5 Wrap 3 Rice 2 Five is larger than three and two.
Sandwich. - How many children answered the lunch question?
Lunch choices: one choice per child. Food Children Sandwich 5 Wrap 3 Rice 2 5 + 3 + 2 = 10.
10 children. - How many fewer children chose rice than wrap?
Lunch choices: one choice per child. Food Children Sandwich 5 Wrap 3 Rice 2 3 − 2 = 1.
1 fewer child. - A picture display has Animals 4, Space 2 and Stories 5. Does it match the book table? Explain.
Books chosen by a group. Type Number Animals 4 Space 2 Stories 5 All three counts agree: 4, 2 and 5.
Yes. - Can the vehicle table tell us which car colour was most common? Explain.
Vehicles observed in five minutes. Vehicle Number Car 6 Bus 2 Bicycle 3 It records vehicle types, not car colours.
We would need to record car colours to answer that question.
No. - Write one conclusion supported by the pet display, and one question it cannot answer.
Use the counts 4, 3 and 2 to support the conclusion.
A question about reasons needs more information.
For example: dog is the most common choice in this group; the display cannot tell us why children chose dog.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9; SA Curriculum Mathematics 2026
Surveys/observations; lists/tables; creating displays; comparing representations and conclusions.
Official curriculum source ↗