Read the chart carefully
A pie chart shows how a whole is split into parts. Each sector represents one category, and the size of the sector shows how large that part is compared with the total.
Step-by-step method
- Identify the whole: Decide what the full circle represents. This is usually the total amount.
- Find the category: Look at the label or key for the sector you need.
- Read the value: If the chart gives percentages, angles, or fractions, use the labeled value for that sector.
- If needed, compare sectors: A larger sector means a larger share of the whole.
- Simplify the answer: If your answer is a fraction or ratio, reduce it to simplest form.
Helpful checks
- All sectors together should make the full circle, so the parts should add to 100% or 360° if those values are used.
- Make sure you are reading the correct sector and not a nearby label.
- If the question asks for a comparison, check whether one sector is bigger, smaller, or equal to another.
Final advice
Use the labels, key, and any numbers on the chart first. Then express your answer clearly and simplify it if it can be reduced.