Representing data - EduqasPie charts

Data is represented in many different forms. Using bar charts, pie charts and frequency diagrams can make information easier to digest.

Part ofMathsStatistics

Pie charts

A pie chart shows the frequency of each category as a sector of a circle. There are 360° in a circle, so each category will be represented in the pie chart as a proportion of 360°.

Example

A survey of the number of people travelling in a vehicle is taken.

The results are summarised in the table below.

People travelling in a vehicleFrequency
1 person120
2 people40
3 people13
4 people5
5 or more2
Total180
People travelling in a vehicle1 person
Frequency120
People travelling in a vehicle2 people
Frequency40
People travelling in a vehicle3 people
Frequency13
People travelling in a vehicle4 people
Frequency5
People travelling in a vehicle5 or more
Frequency2
People travelling in a vehicleTotal
Frequency180

To draw a pie chart for this data, work out each proportion of 360°.

People travelling in a vehicleFrequencyCalculationAngle
1 person120\(\frac{120}{180} \times 360°\)240°
2 people40\(\frac{40}{180} \times 360°\)80°
3 people13\(\frac{13}{180} \times 360°\)26°
4 people5\(\frac{5}{180} \times 360°\)10°
5 or more2\(\frac{2}{180} \times 360°\)
Total180
People travelling in a vehicle1 person
Frequency120
Calculation\(\frac{120}{180} \times 360°\)
Angle240°
People travelling in a vehicle2 people
Frequency40
Calculation\(\frac{40}{180} \times 360°\)
Angle80°
People travelling in a vehicle3 people
Frequency13
Calculation\(\frac{13}{180} \times 360°\)
Angle26°
People travelling in a vehicle4 people
Frequency5
Calculation\(\frac{5}{180} \times 360°\)
Angle10°
People travelling in a vehicle5 or more
Frequency2
Calculation\(\frac{2}{180} \times 360°\)
Angle
People travelling in a vehicleTotal
Frequency180
Calculation
Angle
Pie chart showing number of people travelling in a vehicle