A pie chart is a pictorial representation of data in the form of a circular chart or pie where the slices of the pie show the size of the data. A list of numerical variables along with categorical variables is needed to represent data in the form of a pie chart. The arc length of each slice and consequently the area and central angle it forms in a pie chart is proportional to the quantity it represents. Show
What is Pie Chart?A pie chart is a type of a chart that visually displays data in a circular graph. It is one of the most commonly used graphs to represent data using the attributes of circles, spheres, and angular data to represent real-world information. The shape of a pie chart is circular where the pie represents the whole data and the slice out of the pie represents the parts of the data and records it discretely. Pie Chart DefinitionA pie chart is a type of graph that records data in a circular manner that is further divided into sectors for representing the data of that particular part out of the whole part. Each of these sectors or slices represents the proportionate part of the whole. Pie charts, also commonly known as pie diagrams help in interpreting and representing the data more clearly. It is also used to compare the given data. Pie Chart ExampleLet us look at the following example of the following pie chart that represents the ingredients used to prepare a butter cake. Example: The whole pie represents a value of 100. It is divided into 10 slices or sectors. The various colors represent the ingredients used to prepare the cake. What would be the exact quantity of each of the ingredients represented in specific colors in the following pie chart? Solution: As we can see, the pie is divided into 10 slices or sectors. To calculate the exact amount of ingredients that are added to the cake, we divide the whole sector's value, i.e., 100 by the number of sectors. So, 100 ÷ 10 = 10. Hence, looking at the color divisions made in the pie chart we can conclude that:
Pie Chart FormulaWe know that the total value of the pie is always 100%. It is also known that a circle subtends an angle of 360°. Hence, the total of all the data is equal to 360°. Based on these, there are two main formulas used in pie charts:
We can work out the percentage for a given pie chart using the steps given below,
Let us understand the above steps using an example. Example: Observe the following pie chart that represents the money spent by Ana at the funfair. The indicated color shows the amount spent on each category. The total value of the data is 20 and the amount spent on each category is interpreted as follows:
To convert this into pie chart percentage, we apply the formula: (Frequency ÷ Total Frequency) × 100 Let us convert the above data into a percentage: Amount spent on rides: (10/20)× 100 = 50% Amount spent on toffees: (4/20)× 100 = 20% Amount spent on popcorn: (2/20)× 100 = 10% Amount spent on ice-cream: (4/20)× 100 = 20% Example: Observe the following pie chart that recommends a low-carb diet on a day. We measure the angles of each slice. We get that Protein measures 180°, Carb measures 108°, and Fats measures 72° To find the percentage, we divide each angle by 360 and multiply it by 100. Protein = (180/360) × 100 = 50% Carb = (108/360) × 100 = 30% Fats = (72/360) × 100 = 20%
Uses of Pie ChartWhenever some data has to be represented visually as a fractional part of a whole, we use pie charts. It is used to compare the data and see why one is smaller/greater than the other. Therefore, when we are dealing with a limited number of buckets and discrete data sets, it’s better to use a pie chart. Listed below are a few uses of a pie chart:
Steps to Construct Pie Chart
We use the following steps to construct a pie chart and using the above-mentioned formulas, we can calculate the data.
Example: Construct a pie chart to visually display the favorite fruits of the students in a class based on the given data: Mango - 45; Orange - 30; Plum - 15; Pineapple - 30; Melon - 30 Solution: Step 1: Create a table with the values and get the total.
Step 2: Find the percentage of each value: Mango = (45/150) × 100 = 30% Orange = (30/150) × 100 = 20% Plum = (15/150) × 100 = 10% Pineapple = (30/150) × 100 = 20% Melon = (30/150) × 100 = 20% Step 3: Finding the degree of each pie sector using the formula: (Given data/Total Value of data) × 360°
With all the above degrees, with the help of a protractor draw a pie chart. Thus, the pie chart looks like this: Interpreting Pie ChartTo read or interpret a pie chart, we see if the given chart is given in percentages or without any value. If it is given in percentages, the conversion is made accordingly and interpreted accordingly. Let us look at an example to understand this better. Example: The pie chart shown below shows the percentages of types of transportation used by 500 students to come to school. With this given information, answer the following questions: Solution: a) The students who come by bicycle = 25%; (25/100) × 500 = 25 × 5 = 125 b) The students who do not walk to school - We need to add the values of all the remaining means, i.e., bus + car + bicycle = 26 + 32 + 25 = 83 Hence, (83/100) × 500 = 83 × 5 = 415 students do not walk to school. c) The students who come by bus and car [(32 + 26)/100] × 500 = 58 × 5 = 290 Pie Chart AdvantagesGiven below are the advantages to a pie chart which are the reasons for the widespread application of pie charts in different fields.
Pie Chart DisadvantagesThere are few demerits in pie charts. These are as given below,
Related Topics: Listed below are a few interesting topics that are related to the concept of a pie chart, take a look!
FAQs on Pie ChartWhat is a Pie Chart?A pie chart is a circular graph that records data according to numbers, percentages, and degrees. The pie chart is divided into sectors for representing the data of a particular part out of the whole part according to the measurements. Pie charts also called pie diagrams, represent each sector or slice as the proportionate part of the whole. Some of the examples where we use pie charts are in businesses, schools, etc. What are the Uses of a Pie Chart?Pie charts are used to represent the proportional data in a single chart. The concept of pie slices is used to show the percentage of a particular data from the whole pie. Pie charts are used in businesses to measure the profit or loss of the company, used in schools to compare the percentages of scores of students, used in marketing and sales materials, and so on. Should a Pie Chart be equal to 100?Yes, the total value of the pie chart should be equal to 100. The slices of the pie chart are accordingly expressed as a percentage. What is the Formula for Pie Chart?The different formulas that can be used while representing a given data in form of pie charts are as given below,
How do you Explain a Pie Chart?To read or explain the information depicted in the form of a pie chart, we see if the given chart is given in percentages or without any value. If it is given in percentages, the conversion is made accordingly and the data can be interpreted accordingly. How do you Work out Degrees for a Pie Chart?To convert the data into degrees for a pie chart, we use the formula given below, How to Calculate the Percentage of Data in the Pie Chart?To calculate the percentage of the given data in a pie chart, we can use the formula given below, How to Create a Pie Chart?We use the following steps to construct a pie chart:
How to Change Pie Chart Numbers to Percentage and Degree?To calculate the numbers present in the pie chart, we can convert them into percentages and degrees. To convert a value into a pie chart percentage, we use the formula: (Frequency ÷ Total Frequency) × 100. To convert a value into degrees, we use the formula: (Given Data ÷ Total value of Data) × 360° |