Understanding Pie Charts

Understanding Pie Charts

Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Show your work where requested.

What is a Pie Chart?

A pie chart (or a circle graph) is a circular statistical graphic, which is divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportion. In a pie chart, the arc length of each slice, and consequently its area and central angle, is proportional to the quantity it represents.

Interpreting a Pie Chart

The pie chart below shows the favorite colors of 100 students in Grade 6. Use the chart to answer the questions.

1. Which color is the most favorite among the students?

2. How many students chose Blue as their favorite color?

3. What percentage of students chose Green?

Fill in the Blanks

4. In a pie chart, the entire circle represents the   or 100%.

5. Each slice of a pie chart represents a   of the total.

6. To find the angle for each slice, you multiply the percentage by   degrees.

Creating a Pie Chart

7. A class of 20 students voted for their favorite fruit. The results were: Apples: 10, Bananas: 5, Oranges: 3, Grapes: 2. Calculate the percentage for each fruit.

8. Based on the percentages from question 7, describe how you would draw a pie chart for this data. (You do not need to draw it, just explain the steps.)

Multiple Choice

9. If a pie chart slice represents 50% of the data, what is its central angle?

10. What is another name for a pie chart?