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Pie charts

Activity

Pie charts

What to do with this activity?

A pie chart is a circular two dimensional graphic divided into slices (looks like a cake or pizza cut into pieces). It represents statistical data in an easy-to-read visual way. Your 5th of 6th class child will be learning about pie charts in class. 

If you want to draw a pie chart chart to show that 50% of children in a class like apples best, and the other 50% like oranges best, then the circle would be divided exactly into two. The whole circle always adds up to 100%. To represent other more complicated percentages you need to first calculate the correct angle to draw and then use a protractor. 

A full circle is 360 degrees, so 20% of the whole is represented by a slice with an angle of 72 degrees (20 over 100 multiplied by 360). Check out more about angles and using a protractor here.

The best way to learn about pie charts is to put in some practice. Here is some information about how to use pie charts from Maths is Fun, and there are some games from IXL here

  • Why am I doing this?

    Maths makes sense to children when they use it in everyday life - like measuring things, working out distances, estimating food for dinner or money for groceries. The more opportunities you give your child to use the maths they learn at school through everyday activities the more they will understand and enjoy working with numbers.

  • How can I do more?

    Discuss maths that you see around you. For example, talk about sales in shops – half price, 25% off, what is good value? Or how much will the item cost after the discount?

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