Two-way tables — Data, 7–10 years
A two-way table sorts answers using two questions at the same time. It makes groups and overlaps visible without listing every answer again.
Two questions in one table
A two-way table crosses two sets of labels. One side might show whether children walk or cycle to school; the other might show Year 3 or Year 4. Each inside box counts the children belonging to both labels.
Why cross the answers?
One list can tell us how many children cycle, and another can tell us how many are in Year 4. But we may also need to know how many Year 4 children cycle. The table solves this problem by keeping both questions attached to each count.
Read a two-way table
A table shows transport by year: Year 3 has walk 5 and cycle 3; Year 4 has walk 4 and cycle 6. To find how many Year 4 children cycle, use the Year 4 row and cycle column: 6. To find all cyclists, add 3 + 6 = 9. Each answer uses both labels correctly.
The trap: reading only one label
A reader may see the number 6 and say, “There are 6 cyclists,” without checking its row. That is understandable: the number is next to the word cycle. But 6 means Year 4 cyclists; the Year 3 row has 3. Always follow both the row and the column before naming a count.
Where this helps
A library can use a two-way table to count fiction and non-fiction books borrowed by different age groups. A sports club might compare beginners and experienced players with the activities they choose. The table helps organisers spot busy groups and plan enough books, space or equipment.
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