What is a Pie Chart?

A pie chart is a circular graph divided into slices to show proportions. Each slice represents a part of the whole. The entire pie represents 100%.

Why Use Pie Charts?

Pie charts help us see how different parts relate to the whole. They are useful for visualising data and making comparisons.

How to Read a Pie Chart

  1. Identify the Whole: The whole pie represents 100%. Each slice shows a percentage of that whole.
  2. Look at Slice Sizes: Bigger slices represent larger percentages. Smaller slices represent smaller percentages.
  3. Check the Labels: Labels tell you what each slice represents and often include the percentage.

Example of a Pie Chart

Imagine a pie chart showing your friends’ favourite fruits:

  • 40% Apples
  • 30% Bananas
  • 20% Oranges
  • 10% Grapes

In this chart, the biggest slice is for Apples, meaning most of your friends like Apples the best.

Key Rules

  • Total Percentage: All slices should add up to 100%.
  • Proportions Matter: Larger slices mean more people or things; smaller slices mean fewer.
  • Read Carefully: Always check the labels for what each slice represents.

Tips for Interpreting Pie Charts

  • Visual Comparison: Compare the sizes of the slices visually. Which one is the biggest or smallest?
  • Convert to Fractions: Sometimes it helps to think of percentages as fractions. For example, 50% is the same as \frac{1}{2}
    of the pie.
  • Ask Questions: What does the chart tell you? Is there something surprising?

Practice Questions

Easy Level Questions

  1. What percentage does the biggest slice represent in a pie chart showing 50% Apples, 30% Bananas, and 20% Oranges?
  2. If a pie chart shows 25% of students like Maths, what fraction of students is that?
  3. In a pie chart with 60% Dogs, 30% Cats, and 10% Birds, which animal is the most liked?
  4. What is the total percentage of all slices in a pie chart?
  5. If 20% of a pie chart is for Strawberries, what percentage is left for other fruits?
  6. How many degrees is 25% of a pie chart? (Hint: 360 degrees in a pie)
  7. If a pie chart has 40% for Football, what is the fraction of that slice of the pie?
  8. In a pie chart with 10 slices, one slice represents 10%. What fraction is that?
  9. If the pie chart shows 50% for Pizza, what percentage is not for Pizza?
  10. What does a slice representing 100% mean?

Medium Level Questions

  1. A pie chart shows 30% of people prefer Tea, 50% prefer Coffee, and 20% prefer Juice. What is the largest preference?
  2. If the pie chart represents 200 people, how many people prefer Coffee if it’s 50%?
  3. You have a pie chart with 15% for Red, 25% for Blue, and 60% for Green. What is the difference in percentage between Blue and Green?
  4. If 35% of a pie chart is for Chocolate, how much is left for other flavours?
  5. A pie chart represents the time spent on activities: 40% for Studying, 30% for Playing, and 30% for Eating. How much time does Studying take compared to Playing?
  6. What fraction is represented by 10% of a pie chart?
  7. If a pie chart shows that 25% of students are from England, how many students are from England if there are 80 students in total?
  8. If a slice represents 15% of a pie chart, how many degrees is that?
  9. What is the percentage if 5 out of 20 people prefer Swimming in a pie chart?
  10. If 70% of a pie chart is for Running, what is the fraction of non-Running activities?

Hard Level Questions

  1. A pie chart shows 17% for Maths, 50% for Science, and 33% for English. Are the percentages correct? Why or why not?
  2. If 25% of a pie chart is for Sports, what is the angle (in degrees) of that slice?
  3. A pie chart represents 240 students. If 60% prefer Art, how many students prefer Art?
  4. If the pie chart shows 45% for Drama, 30% for Music, and 25% for Dance, what is the difference in percentage between Drama and Dance?
  5. In a pie chart, one slice is 22.5%. How many degrees does that represent?
  6. If the pie chart has three slices: 10%, 30%, and 60%, what fraction of the pie does the smallest slice represent?
  7. A pie chart shows 5 sections. If one section is 15%, what is the total percentage of the other four sections?
  8. If 80% of a pie chart shows for Work, what is the remaining percentage for Leisure?
  9. A pie chart of 360 degrees shows 20% for Travel. How many degrees does that represent?
  10. If there are 120 people and the pie chart shows 40% for Sports fans, how many are not Sports fans?

Answers and Explanations

Easy Level Answers

  1. 40% represents the biggest slice.
  2. \frac{1}{4}
    of the students like Maths.
  3. Dogs are the most liked.
  4. 100%.
  5. 80% is left for other fruits.
  6. 90 degrees (25% of 360).
  7. \frac{2}{5}
    of the pie.
  8. \frac{1}{10}
    of the pie.
  9. 50% is not for Pizza.
  10. It means the whole pie.

Medium Level Answers

  1. Coffee is the largest preference.
  2. 100 people prefer Coffee.
  3. 35%.
  4. 65% is left for other flavours.
  5. Studying takes 10% more time than Playing.
  6. \frac{1}{10}
    .
  7. 20 students are from England.
  8. 54 degrees.
  9. 25%.
  10. \frac{3}{10}
    of non-Running activities.

Hard Level Answers

  1. No, they do not add up to 100%.
  2. 90 degrees.
  3. 144 students prefer Art.
  4. 20% difference.
  5. 81 degrees.
  6. \frac{1}{5}
    of the pie.
  7. 85%.
  8. 20% for Leisure.
  9. 72 degrees.
  10. 72 people are not Sports fans.

Now you have a better understanding of how to interpret pie charts! Keep practicing, and you’ll get even better at reading them!