Last updated on July 4th, 2025
To visually represent data we use different types of chart, such as pie chart, line chart, bar graph, A pie chart is a type of chart that is used to represent statistical data. It is divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportions. Pie charts are useful to visualize data distribution, but they are less effective for comparing datasets and precise values.
A pie chart is a circular graph where each slice represents the category share of the total. The pie chart represents 100% of the data, with each slice’s size directly proportional to its percentage of the whole. Pie charts are used to represent and visualize data like market shares, survey results, and budget allocations.
As you can see in the above image, the pie chart represents the data of a particular dataset, with each slice divided into a proportional size of the w
Pie charts are essential for students as they visually simplify data distribution and proportions. They make complex information easier to compare and are useful in subjects like mathematics, statistics, economics, and science. Using color to identify each division helps students improve their interpretation skills and understanding of fractions and percentages.
Pie charts have several properties. The main properties of the pie chart are:
There are many ways that we use to master pie charts. Let’s learn some tips and tricks:
Understanding the Basics:
Students should remember that a pie chart represents 100% of a dataset, with each section or slice showing a category’s proportion. The total of all angles in a pie chart is 360°.
Calculating Angles for Slices:
Students must remember the formula that is used to determine each section's angle:
Angle = Category Value/Total Value x 360°
They must always check that the sum of all the section angles equals 360°.
Converting Data into Percentages:
Students must be able to convert the given data into percentages for a better visual representation. They must ensure that the total of all percentages adds up to 100%. The formula used to convert data into percentages is mentioned below:
Percentage = Category ValueTotal Value x 100
Students often make mistakes when calculating and solving problems relating to pie charts. Here are some common mistakes that students tend to make and how to avoid them:
Pie charts help us to get a visual representation of the data. Let us learn how pie charts are used in different fields.
A class of 30 students was asked about their favorite fruit. The responses were as follows: 12 students liked apples 8 students liked bananas 6 students liked oranges 4 students liked grapes Represent the given data as a pie chart.
Step 1: Find the total number of students: 30
Step 2: Calculate the angles for each fruit:
Angle = Category ValueTotal Value x 360°
For Apple:
Angle for apples = 12/30 × 360° = 144°
For Bananas:
Angle for bananas = 8/30 × 360° = 96°
For Oranges:
Angle for oranges = 6/30 × 360° = 72°
For Grapes:
Angle for grapes = 4/30 × 360° = 48°
Step 3: Draw the pie chart.
A family spends money on the following categories every month: Rent: $1200 Groceries: $600 Utilities: $300 Entertainment: $200 Savings: $100 Represent the given data as a pie chart.
Step 1: Calculate the total expenses:
1200 + 600 + 300 + 200 + 100 = 2400 dollars.
Step 2: Calculate the angle for each category
For rent:
Angle for rent = 1200/2400 × 360° = 180o
For groceries:
Angle for groceries = 600/2400 × 360° = 90o
For utilities:
Angle for utilities = 300/2400 × 360° = 45o
For entertainment:
Angle for entertainment = 200/2400 × 360° = 30o
For savings:
Angle for savings = 100/2400 × 360° = 15o
Step 3: Draw the pie chart
In a market survey, the following market share percentages were observed for different smartphone brands: Apple: 40% Samsung: 30% Huawei: 15% Xiaomi: 10% Other brands: 5% Represent the given data as a pie chart.
Step 1: Calculate the total percentage:
40 + 30 + 15 + 10 + 5 = 100
Step 2: Since the total percentage is 100%, we can directly convert the percentage into the angle by multiplying by 3.6
For Apple:
Angle for apple = 40 × 3.6 = 144°
For Samsung:
Angle for Samsung = 30 × 3.6 = 108°
For Huawei:
Angle for Huawei = 15 ×3.6 = 54°
For Xiaomi:
Angle for Xiaomi = 10 ×3.6 = 36°
For other brands:
Angle for other brands = 5 × 3.6 = 18°
Step 3: Draw the pie chart
A survey was conducted among 360 students to find their favorite school subjects. The results were: Mathematics: 90 students Science: 60 students English: 75 students History: 45 students Art: 90 students Represent the given data as a pie chart.
Step 1: Find the total number of students:
90 + 60 + 75 + 45 + 90 = 360
Step 2: Calculate the angle for each subject:
Mathematics: 90/360 x 360° = 90°
Science: 60/360 x 360° = 60°
English: 75/360 x 360° = 75°
History: 45/360 x 360° = 45°
Art: 90/360 x 360° = 90°
Step 3: Draw the pie chart
In a class of 30 students, they were asked what their favorite sports and the results were: Basketball: 10 Students Football: 15 students Cricket: 5 students Represent the following data as a pie chart.
Step 1: Calculate the total number of students:
10 + 15 + 5 = 30
Step 2: Calculate the angles for each category
For basketball:
Angle for basketball: 10/30 x 360° = 120°
For Football:
Angle for football: 15/30 x 360° = 180°
For Cricket:
Angle for cricket: 5/30 x 360° = 60°
Step 3: Draw the pie chart.
Jaipreet Kour Wazir is a data wizard with over 5 years of expertise in simplifying complex data concepts. From crunching numbers to crafting insightful visualizations, she turns raw data into compelling stories. Her journey from analytics to education ref
: She compares datasets to puzzle games—the more you play with them, the clearer the picture becomes!