Learning objectives

In this unit you will learn:

• what a pictogram is
• some common uses of pictograms
• reasons for using pictograms
• how pictograms are used to represent data.

Pictograms were used as a form of writing in ancient times. Now we use an alphabet where each letter represents a sound. Some letters of the alphabet come from pictograms. For example, 'A' comes from the pictogram of an ox (aleph in ancient Hebrew). It could also mean strength or power.

In this unit you will find out how pictograms are used today.