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
400
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