To make a pie chart

Science World, Sept 27, 2002

1 Draw a circle with a compass.

2 Give your pie chart a title ("My Four-Month Breakdown of Physical Activities").

3 Mark the center with a point; this is where each pie "slice" or wedge, will start.

4 Measure a wedge for each level of the independent variable (Walking, Basketball, Swimming, Dancing, Other). First, convert your data from percentages to angle degrees.

EXAMPLE: If basketball takes up 40% of your physical activities, the pie wedge for basketball would be 40% of the 360[degrees] circle, or 144[degrees] (360 x .4 = 144). Position a protractor at the center point of the circle. Mark 0[degrees] and 144[degrees] angles with points on the edge of the circle. Draw a line from these points to the center of the circle.

5 Label the wedge (include its percentage).

6 Measure your next wedge from the edge of the first. When finished, the entire circle should be filled and add up to 360[degrees].

My Four-Month Breakdown of Physical Activities

WALKING              30%
DANCING               5%
OTHER                 5%
SWIMMING             20%
BASKETBALL           40%

Note: Table made from pie chart.