Ackbarally Saad

U6 s3
The Pie Chart
A pie chart is a circular chart divided into sectors which illustrates a certain amount being
measured. In a pie chart, the area of each sector is proportional to the amount it represents.

sector

Area of red sector

gives the amount
represented

Note:
Area of sector = ½ × r² θ

Advantage of pie chart:

1) Summarises large data in visual forms
2) Visually appealing
3) Shows percent of total for each category

Disadvantages of pie chart:

1) Varying data cannot be shown
2) Without the key, the pie chart is useless
3) Hard to compare data(sectors) with one another
The bar chart
A bar chart is a chart with rectangular bars with lengths proportional to the values that they
represent. Bar charts are used for comparing two or more values.

1000000

900000

800000

700000

600000

500000

400000

300000

200000

100000

0
USA England Dubay Japan South Africa Australia

Advantages of bar chart

1) Can easily compare the bars with one another
2) Do not need to have detailed statistical knowledge to understand

Disadvantages of bar chart

1) Can be used only with discrete data
2) Limited space for labeling with vertical bar graphs
The line graph
A line graph plots continuous data as points and then joins them with a line. Multiple data sets
can be graphed together, but a key must be used.

1000

900

800

700

600

500

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300

200

100

0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Green lines-sales of toys

Red lines -sales of houses in a certain country
Blue lines -sales of cars

Advantages of line graphs

1) Can compare multiple continuous data sets easily

Disadvantages of line graphs

1) Can be used only with continuous data
2) A bit ambiguous to compare several data
 The pictograph
A pictograph uses an icon to represent a quantity of data values in order to decrease the
size of the graph. A key must be used to explain the icon.

Advantages of a pictograph
1) Easy to read
2) Visually appealing
3) Handles large data sets easily using keyed icons

Disadvantages of a pictograph
1) Must have at least 4 different categories
2) Icons must be of consistent size
3) Hard to quantify partial icons