Study MaterialsPie Chart Definition, Formula, Examples | How to Make a Pie Chart?

Pie Chart Definition, Formula, Examples | How to Make a Pie Chart?

The pie chart represents data in a circular graph. The pieces of the chart or graph show the data size. The various components are represented by the pieces of a circle and the whole circle is the sum of the values of all components. One can get the pie chart definition, formula, use, solved examples, and steps to create a pie chart in the below sections.

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    Pie Chart Definition

    A pie chart is also a graph and is a type of pictorial representation of data. It divides the circle into various sectors in order to explain the numeric values. Each section is a proportionate part of the whole circle. We use a pie chart to find the composition of something. The pie chart is also known as the circle chart.

    A pie chart is used for data representation. The total of all data in a pie is equal to 360° and the total value of a pie is always 100%.

    The central angle for a component formula is given as

    Central angle for a component = (Value of the component / Sum of the values of all components) * 360°

    Steps to Make a Pie Chart

    Follow the below-mentioned steps to create a pie chart/ circle chart for the given data.

    • Enter the given data into a table to make the process easy for you.
    • Find the sum of values in the table.
    • Divide each value in the table by sum and multiply the result with 100 to get the percent.
    • To get the degrees of each value, substitute the values in the formula i.e (Value of each component/sum) * 360A pie chart is used for the data representation. The total of all data in a pie is equal to 360° and the total value of a pie is always 100%.
    • The central angle for a component formula is given as Central angle for a component = (Value of the component / Sum of the values of all components) * 360°.
    • Draw a circle and use a protractor to measure the degree of each sector.

    Advantages and Disadvantages of Pie Chart

    Advantages

    • It is simple and easy to understand
    • Data can be represented visually as a fractional part of the whole.
    • It helps in providing an effective communication tool for the uninformed audience.

    Disadvantages

    • It can represent only one set of data. So, you need a series to compare multiple sets.
    • If you have too many pieces of data, and even you add labels and numbers may not help here, they themselves may become crowded and hard to read.

    Example Questions & Answers

    Example 1.

    The following table shows the expenditure in percentage incurred on the construction of a house in a city:

    Item Brick Cement Steel Labour Miscellaneous
    Expenditure (in percentage) 18% 30% 10% 12% 30%

    Draw a pie chart for the above data.

    Solution:

    Total percentage = 100

    Central angle for a component = (Value of the component / Sum of the values of all components) * 360°

    Calculation of central angles:

    Item Expenditure (in percentage) Central Angle
    Brick 18% ((18 / 100) * 360°) = 64.8°
    Cement 30% ((30 / 100) * 360°) = 108°
    Steel 10% ((10 / 100) * 360°) = 36°
    Labour 12% ((12 / 100) * 360° = 43.2°
    Miscellaneous 30% ((30 / 100) * 360°) = 108°

    Construction for creating a pie chart

    Steps of construction:

    1. Draw a circle of any convenient radius.

    2. Draw a horizontal radius of the circle.

    3. Draw sectors starting from the horizontal radius with central angles of 64.8°, 108°, 36°, 43.2°, and 108° respectively.

    4. Shade the sectors differently using different colors and label them.

    Thus, we obtain the required pie chart, shown in the above figure.

    Example 2.

    The marks scored by a student in his examination are shown below:

    Subject English Hindi Maths Science Social
    Marks 70 85 76 88 92

    Draw a pie chart for the above data.

    Solution:

    The given table contains the marks of a student in an exam.

    The total marks scored by a student = 411

    Central angle for a component = (Each subject marks / total marks) * 360°

    Calculation of central angles:

    Subject Marks Central Angle
    English 70 (70 / 411) * 360° = 61.31°
    Hindi 85 (85 / 411) * 360° = 74.45°
    Maths 76 (76 / 411) * 360° = 66.56°
    Science 88 (88 / 411) * 360° = 77.08°
    Social 92 (92 / 411) * 360° = 80.58°

    Construction for creating a pie chart

    Steps of construction:

    1. Draw a circle.

    2. Draw sectors starting from the horizontal radius with central angles of 61.31°, 74.45°, 66.56°, 77.08°, 80.58° respectively.

    3. Shade the sectors differently using different colors and label them.

    Thus, we obtain the required pie chart, shown in the above figure.

    Example 3.

    The data on the mode of transport used by 1000 students are given below:

    Mode of Transport Bus Cycle Train Car Scooter
    Number of Students 150 50 200 100 500

    Represent the data on a pie chart.

    Solution:

    The given table shows the mode of transport used by 1000 students to reach the school.

    Total Number of Students = 1000

    Central angle for a component = (Value of the component / Sum of the values of all components) * 360°

    Calculation of central angles:

    Mode of Transport Number of Students Central Angle
    Bus 150 (150 / 1000) * 360 = 54°
    Cycle 50 (50 / 1000) * 360 = 18°
    Train 200 (200 / 1000) * 360 = 72°
    Car 100 (100 / 1000) * 360 = 36°
    Scooter 500 (500 / 1000) * 360 = 180°

    Construction for creating a pie chart

    1. Draw a circle of any convenient radius.

    2. Draw a horizontal radius of the circle.

    3. Draw sectors starting from the horizontal radius with central angles of 54°, 18°, 72°, 36°, and 180°.

    4. Shade the sectors differently using different colors and label them.

    Thus, we obtain the required pie chart, shown in the above figure.

    FAQs on Pie Chart

    1. What are the uses of a pie chart?

    A pie chart is used to represent categorical data, to compare areas of growth in a business like turnover profit and exposure.

    2. What are the pie chart examples?

    The real-life examples of the pie charts are a representation of kinds of cars sold in a month, types of food items liked by people in a room, marks scored by students in a class, etc

    3. What is the formula to calculate the percentage of each component of a pie chart?

    The pie chart formula to calculate the central angle for a component is as follows:

    Central angle for a component = (Value of the component / Sum of the values of all components) * 360°

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