What is a Carroll Diagram?

Put simply, a Carroll Diagram (sometimes known as Lewis Carroll’s square or a bilateral diagram) is a way of sorting objects, numbers, and shapes by their traits. It is a table and allows people to sort data with more than two criteria into boxes in a visual way using yes/no situations. Numbers or objects are either categorised as 'x' (having an attribute x) or 'not x' (not having an attribute 'x'). Sometimes, these two categories can be described as either ‘true’ or ‘false’.

 

Typically, Carroll diagrams have two attributes. Using this method can help children to spot patterns, particularly where things like frequency are concerned. Carroll Diagrams are used for analysing data such as a group of objects, numbers or features in a systematic way. Children can begin to sort information by identifying the characteristics of the data, for example, if shapes are being sorted features such as a number of faces, sides and corners may be picked out.

 

 

Typically, with a table like this the children would be given a set of shapes that need to place into the correct section. It is key for the child to take each shape individually and carefully check each fact about the shape to ensure it is placed correctly.

 

 

Who is the Carroll Diagram Named After?

The Carroll diagram is named after Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland. He was a mathematician who specialised in symbolic logic. Lewis Carroll produced several works about mathematics when he was working at Oxford University, and he also invented the Carroll Diagram. So, the diagram is also known as the 'Lewis Carroll's square'.

 

What's the Difference Between a Venn and Carroll Diagram?

Just like Carroll diagrams, Venn diagrams encourage students to sort data logically and allows them to explore the relationship between sets of data. With the Venn Diagram each circle represents an individual set of data. However, unlike Carroll diagrams, Venn diagrams overlap circles to create an intersection where data that belongs to both data sets can be placed. Any data that cannot be onto the Venn diagram is placed outside the circles.

 

What is a Venn Diagram?

A Venn diagram is a visual organizer, made up of overlapping circles, that explores the relationship between a set of different things. They are typically used to organize objects, numbers, and shapes (just like the Carroll Diagram).

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Each circle is given a title, that has some relation to the information, similar to the Carroll Diagram, but in this instance, we do not look at the data as yes or no questions, data is placed in the circle it matches, and if it matches the specifications of both circles then it will be placed in the centre over lapping section. If it does not meet any of the specifications, then it is placed outside of the diagram altogether.

This is a good example of how Venn diagrams can be used to organize shapes, but they can be used to explore the relationships between a wide range of different things. Venn Diagrams are very versatile and can allow for the comparison of mostly any topic you can think of comparing. They can be used in other subjects too, like science, history, or geography.