skills
Handb
Ci r cl e Gr a p h s
A circle graph is an efficient way to p re sen t certain types of data. The entire
circle represents all of th e data. Each section of th e circle represents a p a rt of the
whole an d can be labeled w ith th e actual d ata or th e d ata expressed as a fraction,
decim al, or percent. The angles at th e center are central angles, an d each angle is
p roportional to th e p ercen t or fraction of the total.
Ex a m p l e
Students at a high school were asked to pick their favorite instrument.
The table at the right shows the num ber of students w ho ch ose each
instrument. Draw a circle graph for the data.
St e p 1 Add to find th e total num ber.
35 + 103 + 150 + 182 = 470
St e p 2 For each central angle, set up a pro p o rtio n to find th e m easure.
Use a calculator to solve each proportion.
35
470
a
360°
; 2 7 °
103
470
. b
360°
150
470
b « 79°
c
360°
■ 1 1 5 °
182
470
d
360°
= 1 3 9 °
Favorite Musical Instruments
1
Number of Students
Bass^35
Drum s 103
Piano 150
G u ita r 182
St e p 3 Use a com pass to draw a circle.
Draw th e approxim ate central
angles using a protractor.
St e p 4 Label each sector.
r
139° ^
1 115° 27°]
L w
Favorite Musical Instruments
a. Use the data in th e table to draw a circle graph.
b. Approximately what percent of students
ride th e bus?
c. Approximately how m an y tim es m ore students
walk th a n ride in a car?
- Data Collection Survey your class to find out how they get to school. Use th e
data to draw a circle graph.
Methods of Transportation
Transportation Method W alk Bicycle Bus Car
Number of Students^252135 43281