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Tally Charts

FoundationChallengeAQAEdexcelOCR

Tally Charts is a key statistics topic at GCSE Maths. This Foundation worksheet gives you exam-style questions on recording data in tally charts, with a full mark scheme so you can check every method mark. Suitable for AQA, Edexcel and OCR. Download the free PDF and answers below. Group tallies in fives — four lines and a diagonal — to count quickly.

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These worksheets and mark schemes are original, written for Virtus Academy and checked against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Every worksheet comes with a full mark scheme.

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Topic overview

A tally chart records data as it is collected, using marks grouped in fives. Four vertical strokes are crossed by a fifth diagonal one, which makes counting far quicker.

The frequency column then gives the total for each category as a number. Converting tallies to frequencies is simply counting the groups of five and adding any remainder.

Tally charts are used for collecting discrete data such as colours, types or scores. Once complete, the frequency column feeds directly into bar charts, pictograms and averages, so accuracy at this stage matters for everything that follows.

Revision notes

Recording tallies

Make one stroke per item. On the fifth, draw a diagonal line across the previous four.

This grouping means you count in fives rather than ones, which is faster and less error-prone.

Converting to frequency

Count the completed groups of five, multiply by five, then add any remaining strokes.

Three full groups and two extra strokes give \(3 \times 5 + 2 = 17\).

Checking the total

The frequencies should add to the total number of items collected.

If they do not, a tally has been miscounted, and it is worth recounting before using the data.

Key points

  • Tallies are grouped in fives.
  • The fifth stroke crosses the previous four.
  • Count in fives, then add the remainder.
  • The frequency column gives the totals as numbers.
  • Frequencies should add to the total collected.
  • Tally charts suit discrete data.

Worked examples

Example 1

A tally shows three groups of five and four extra strokes. Find the frequency.

Working

\[3 \times 5 = 15\]count the complete groups
\[15 + 4\]add the remaining strokes
\[= 19\]state the frequency

Example 2

Frequencies are \(12\), \(8\), \(15\) and \(5\). Find the total collected.

Working

\[12 + 8 + 15 + 5\]add all the frequencies
\[= 40\]state the total

Example 3

Why are tallies grouped in fives?

Working

\[\text{The fifth stroke crosses the other four}\]describe the method
\[\text{So they can be counted in fives}\]explain why it is quicker

Common mistakes

  • Counting tallies one by one.

    The grouping exists so you can count in fives, which is faster and more accurate.

  • Forgetting the remainder.

    Add any strokes left over after the complete groups.

  • Not checking the total.

    The frequencies must add to the number of items collected.

  • Drawing the fifth stroke vertically.

    It must cross the other four to mark a complete group.

Exam tips

  • Cross the fifth stroke so groups are easy to spot.
  • Count the groups of five first, then the remainder.
  • Check the frequencies add to the total collected.
  • Keep the tally chart neat so it can be read accurately.

Key terms

Tally
A mark recording one item of data.
Frequency
The total number in each category.
Discrete data
Data that takes separate, countable values.
Category
One of the groups data is sorted into.

Related topics

Written and reviewed against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Spotted an error? Let us know.