statistics · Foundation · AC9MFST01

Sort, count and compare

To answer a question about a collection, first sort it: put things that are the same in one group, using one rule such as colour, shape or kind. Then count each group, touching each object once. Last, compare the counts. The group with the biggest count has the most and the smallest count has the fewest. Big pictures do not mean more, so always count. To find how many more, line the two groups up one to one and count the extras with no partner.

Sample questions

Mia sorted the fruit into rows. How many oranges are there?

Fruit in the bowlBananasPearsOranges
  1. Find the Oranges row.
  2. Touch each orange once as you count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
  3. There are 5 oranges.

Answer: 5

Noah sorted the shape blocks into rows. How many squares are there?

Shape blocksStarsSquaresCircles
  1. Find the Squares row.
  2. Touch each square once as you count: 1.
  3. There is 1 square.

Answer: 1

Ruby sorted the shape blocks into rows. How many circles are there?

Shape blocksCirclesSquaresTriangles
  1. Find the Circles row.
  2. Touch each circle once as you count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
  3. There are 7 circles.

Answer: 7

Practise this free in Maths Legend →