2.15:

Pie Chart

JoVE Core
Statistics
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JoVE Core Statistics
Pie Chart

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01:04 min

April 30, 2023

A pie chart (or a pie graph) is a circular graphical chart or a pictorial representation of categorical data. It is divided into slices of pie each indicating numerical proportions. It is also used to show the relative sizes of data in a single chart.

In a pie chart, the central angle, the arc length of each slice, and the area are directly proportional to the quantity or percentage it represents. Some real-world examples that can be depicted using pie charts include marks obtained by students in a class, the monthly expenditure of a family, and the cost of construction of a house. With the help of a pie chart, one can easily compare the sum spent on steel, cement, and so on during construction. The actual sum spent on each individual expense can also be computed.

A pie chart's main advantages are that it is simple to use and easy for the audience to quickly analyze and understand information. However, if there is a lot of data, it may become challenging for readers to visualize and assimilate information using a pie chart.