What is Pie Chart: Formula, Steps to Create, Uses, Examples
A pie chart is a graphical representation of data where a circle is divided into segments to illustrate numerical proportions. Each segment represents a category’s contribution to the whole, making it ideal for displaying relative percentages or parts of a total.
Ananya Gupta2 Dec, 2024
Share
Pie Chart: A pie chart is a circular graph used to represent data in a visual way, where the entire circle represents the whole dataset, and the individual slices or sections represent different categories within that dataset. Each slice’s size is proportional to the quantity it represents, making it easy to compare the parts to the whole.
Pie charts are used to display data in percentages, making it clear how each category contributes to the total. This type of chart is particularly effective for showing simple proportions or parts of a whole, such as market shares, population distribution, or survey results.Also Check: Geometry
About CuriousJr Mental Maths Classes
At CuriousJr , part of Physics Wallah, we provide specialized Mental Maths Classes that help students master problem-solving skills. With over 50 mental math strategies our program is designed to enhance both speed and accuracy in calculations. Our classes focus on developing logical reasoning and critical thinking skills enabling students to tackle complex problems effortlessly. By participating in our CuriousJr classes, you will not only improve your ability to solve challenging tasks but also strengthen your overall cognitive abilities. This empowers you to achieve more in less time making learning math an enjoyable and rewarding experience.What is a Pie Chart?
A pie chart is a circular graph that represents data in the form of slices or sectors. Each slice or sector of the pie corresponds to a specific category and illustrates the proportion of that category relative to the whole dataset. The size of each slice is determined by the percentage or proportion of the category's value compared to the total value, with the entire pie representing 100% of the data. Pie charts are useful for showing the composition or distribution of a whole, making it easy to visualize how different parts contribute to the total. They are commonly used in cases where you need to represent categorical data, such as market shares, population distributions, or survey results. Each sector is labeled to indicate the category it represents, and the chart is typically divided into segments that add up to 360° (representing the full dataset).Also Read: AM and PM
Formula for Pie Chart
A pie chart represents data in a circular form, where the total value is always 100%. Since the total angle in a circle is 360°, the pie chart is divided into sectors where each sector represents a category of data. There are two primary formulas used for pie charts:- To calculate the percentage of the given data, we use the formula: (Frequency ÷ Total Frequency) × 100
- To convert the data into degrees we use the formula: (Given Data ÷ Total value of Data) × 360°
How to Create a Pie Chart?
Creating a pie chart is a simple process that allows you to represent categorical data visually. Here’s a step-by-step guide:Step 1: What is a Pie Chart?
A pie chart is a way to show information in a circle. It looks like a pizza or pie, and each slice shows part of the data.Step 2: Example Data
Collect and Organize the Data
The second step is to gather your data and organize it into a table. For example, let’s say you conducted a survey of students' favorite sports, and the data is as follows:| Sport | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Football | 10 |
| Hockey | 5 |
| Cricket | 5 |
| Basketball | 10 |
| Badminton | 10 |
Step 3: Add All the Numbers
Find the total number of students. 10 + 5 + 5 + 10 + 10 = 40 studentsStep 4: Find the Percentages
Use this formula: Percentage = (Number for each sport / Total) x 100 Football: (10 / 40) x 100 = 25% Hockey: (5 / 40) x 100 = 12.5% Cricket: (5 / 40) x 100 = 12.5% Basketball: (10 / 40) x 100 = 25% Badminton: (10 / 40) x 100 = 25%Step 5: Find the Angles
A circle is 360 degrees. Use this formula: Angle = (Number for each sport / Total) x 360 Football: (10 / 40) x 360 = 90 degrees Hockey: (5 / 40) x 360 = 45 degrees Cricket: (5 / 40) x 360 = 45 degrees Basketball: (10 / 40) x 360 = 90 degrees Badminton: (10 / 40) x 360 = 90 degreesStep 6: Draw the Pie Chart
Draw a Circle : Use a compass or any round object to draw a circle on a piece of paper.
Mark the Central Angle : Using a protractor, measure each central angle and draw the sectors. Start from a reference line (like a vertical radius) and move clockwise.
- For Football , draw a 90° sector.
- For Hockey , draw a 45° sector.
- Repeat for the other categories.
Label the Sectors : Inside or outside each sector, label the category and the percentage it represents.
Step 7: Color the Sectors
To make the pie chart visually appealing, color each sector using different colors. This will help in distinguishing between the different categories.Uses of Pie Chart
Pie charts are a popular way to represent data visually, especially when comparing parts of a whole. They are ideal for showing how a set of categories contributes to the total. Here are some common uses of pie charts:Business Applications :
- Profit and Loss : Businesses often use pie charts to display profits and losses. By comparing different sectors of income or expenditure, they can assess which areas are contributing the most or least to their financial performance.
- Market Share : Pie charts are used to compare the market share of different companies or products within the same industry. This helps businesses understand the distribution of market dominance.
Educational Purposes :
- Grades and Performance : In schools, pie charts are commonly used to show student performance as percentages. For instance, a pie chart can illustrate the proportion of students achieving different grade ranges (A, B, C, etc.).
- Time Allocation : Teachers may use pie charts to represent how time is divided among different subjects or activities in a curriculum.
Social and Demographic Data :
- Population Distribution : Pie charts can be used to compare the population distribution of different regions or communities, showing how a specific population is divided among various groups.
- Vehicle Ownership : A pie chart can represent data on the ownership of different types of vehicles, comparing the proportion of people owning cars, motorcycles, bicycles, etc.
Marketing and Sales :
- Brand Comparison : In marketing, pie charts are used to compare the popularity or sales of different brands. They provide an easy way to visualize the market share of various brands or products.
- Customer Preferences : Companies often use pie charts to showcase customer preferences for different products, allowing for quick analysis of which products are favored by the majority.
Resource Distribution :
- Budget Allocation : Governments, businesses, and organizations use pie charts to show how funds or resources are distributed across various departments or sectors.
Examples of Pie Chart
Question: The pie-chart shows the marks obtained by a student in an examination. If the student secures 440 marks in all, calculate the marks in each of the given subjects. Solution: The given pie chart shows the marks obtained in the form of degrees. Given, total marks obtained = 440 i.e. 360 degrees = 440 marks Now, we can calculate the marks obtained in each subject as follows. Marks secured in mathematics = (central angle of maths/ 360°) × Total score secured = (108°/ 360°) × 440 = 132 marks Marks secured in science = (central angle of science / 360°) × Total score secured = (81°/ 360°) × 440 = 99 marks Marks secured in English = (central angle of English/ 360°) × Total score secured = (72°/ 360°) × 440 = 88 marks Marks secured in Hindi = (central angle of Hindi / 360°) × Total score secured = (54°/ 360°) × 440 = 66 marks Marks secured in social science = (central angle of social science / 360°) × Total score secured = (45°/ 360°) × 440 = 55 marks This can be tabulated as:| Subject | Mathematics | Science | English | Hindi | Social science | Total |
| Marks | 132 | 99 | 88 | 66 | 55 | 440 |
Question:
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 - 30Solution:
Step 1: Create a table with the values and get the total.
| Fruit | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Mango | 45 |
| Orange | 30 |
| Plum | 15 |
| Pineapple | 30 |
| Melon | 30 |
| Total | 150 |
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°
| Category | Formula | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Mango | (45/150) × 360° = 108° | 108° |
| Orange | (30/150) × 360° = 72° | 72° |
| Plum | (15/150) × 360° = 36° | 36° |
| Pineapple | (30/150) × 360° = 72° | 72° |
| Melon | (30/150) × 360° = 72° | 72° |
Pie Chart FAQs
What is a Pie Chart?
A pie chart is a circular graph that represents data in slices, where each slice or sector represents a proportionate part of the whole. It is used to show how different categories or values relate to the total.
What is the Difference Between Pie Charts and Bar Graphs?
Pie Chart: Shows proportions or percentages of a whole, represented as slices of a circle.
Bar Graph: Displays data using rectangular bars, useful for comparing different categories or quantities directly.
Can You Use a Pie Chart for Continuous Data?
No, pie charts are not suitable for continuous data. They are best used for categorical data with distinct categories, such as types of fruits, sales in different regions, etc.
Can a Pie Chart Have More than One Slice?
Yes, a pie chart can have multiple slices, each representing a different category or segment of the total. The sum of all slices will always equal 360° or 100%.
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Live & recorded classes available at easeDashboard for progress trackingMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Free Learning Resources
PW Books
Notes (Class 10-12)
PW Study Materials
Notes (Class 6-9)
Ncert Solutions
Govt Exams
Class 6th to 12th Online Courses
Govt Job Exams Courses
UPSC Coaching
Defence Exam Coaching
Gate Exam Coaching
Other Exams
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.
