The diagrams are graphs that represent in a classified and orderly way, various statistical information related to phenomena natural and human, in order to be analyzed and studied to see the evolution of data and its composition.
The Sectors diagrams, known in the same way as pie chart, you can carry out the representation of the statistical data that is represented inside the circle where classify the different sectors, which are divided within the circle to provide the frequencies of the values.
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In this article you will find:
Features that comprise the pie chart
Pie charts comprise a number of characteristics such as the following:
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- It is a type of graph that only represents a certain variable.
- The variables that are represented inside the circle could be both quantitative and qualitative.
- The qualities of the variables are represented in each of the sectors of the graph.
- When all the sectors are joined it will be completely represented within the circle.
- The sum of the values of each sector, gives as a result the totality of the collected data.
Pie Chart Classification
There are various programs that design these pie charts for free, you just have to choose the one that suits you best, some of these types of charts are:
Ring chart
It has the ability to compare the values shown by the various lengths and allows additional information to be placed in the center of the circle.
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Pie chart
You can compare the category values and show the differences by modifying the angle size.
Semicircular graph
It shows only half of a pie chart, however it usually represents all of its parts.
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Irregular pie chart
It compares the data by means of the differences that exist in the length of the radius in each of the segments.
When to use a pie chart?
The sector diagram is used to represent different types of variables, where each sector represents one of the values of the variable. It can be used in the following cases:
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- It is used to show the comparisons of the different categories. It is also used in commercial information to facilitate the proportional distribution of data.
- In case the data category is small and it is not necessary to show the progress of time, this type of graph is the most convenient.
- Another way to use it is when you want to make the illustration of the domain of a certain category that is above the others.
How to make a pie chart
This type of diagram has a high level of popularity, since they are very easy to make and understand, however, they have greater effectiveness when comparing between 3 or 5 different data categories and when their different amounts can be differentiated with ease.
Various pie charts can be designed, yet one of the simplest ways is doing it in the following way by following simple steps like the ones shown below:
- The first thing to do is gather all the information you need, as well as various materials such as graph paper, protractor, calculator, ruler, and even colors.
- Then you must work with the collected data and make a data table.
- Once the data table is finished, the sector diagram is elaborated and for this the following must be done:
- Make the circumference and incorporate in the form of a graph, all the information from the data table.
- When placing the information, the calculation of the area that belongs to the value of each of the data must be made.
- To achieve this, it is necessary to sum up the total information that is being collected.
- Finally, each of the calculated portions is colored and all the necessary information must be included.
Pie Chart Limitations
Although this type of diagram has great potential for organizing data within a circle, understands certain limitations that must be taken into account if the data sample is to be efficient and clear:
- They are of little use when it comes to displaying high amounts of categories, since as there are more categories they will have If there are more sectors, then these would have to be narrower and the information would be more difficult to distinguish.
- For it to be seen clearly, it requires more space than other graphics.
- They are not recommended for comparing different category groups.
The pie diagrams show the relative importance of various quantities, where each category acquires a segment. In general, this type of diagram is very useful to show graphically the proportion shown by the different components of a variable.
