GRAPHS AND STATISTICS

Pie Charts

Learn the reliable method for pie charts, then apply it to 11+ exam-style questions.

1 · WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The idea

Pie Charts questions test how accurately you read, summarise and compare data.

Picture itCompare each sector with the whole
2 · THE METHOD

Follow these steps

  1. Read the title, labels, key and scale.
  2. Extract only the values needed.
  3. Apply the correct statistic or comparison and check the unit.
3 · WORKED EXAMPLES

See the method in action

Example 1

How many pupils chose an activity other than Reading?

Reading 120° · total 24 pupils
  1. 8 pupils chose Reading, so 24 - 8 = 16 chose another activity.
Answer: 16
Example 2

The Reading sector represents the number shown. How many pupils were surveyed altogether?

Reading 120° · 24 pupils
  1. The sector is 120/360 of the circle, so the whole survey contains 24 ÷ (120/360) = 72 pupils.
Answer: 72
4 · ELEVENSPRINT TIP

A useful shortcut

Read the scale before reading any bar, point or symbol.

5 · COMMON MISTAKES

Watch out for these

Counting symbols instead of using the key

Multiply the number of symbols, including partial symbols, by the key value.

6 · TRY IT YOURSELF

Three fresh questions

Ready to check the method? You will get three fresh, validated questions.