Section 1

Explore

 

In Discover you determined that the percentages shown on the circle graph or pie graph total 100%. Dollar amounts can also be calculated from the percentages, as long as the expense total is given.

 

In the following activity you will examine different ways to create circle graphs.

 

Geraldine works as a painter. Her take-home pay is $2500 every month. She has prepared a balanced budget with a goal of saving $250 every month. Geraldine wants to build her savings in case there’s a down-turn in the economy and her income drops.

 

Geraldine’s Monthly Budget
Income			Expenses
Regular	$2500		Rent	$800
			Car	$500
			Food	$400
			Clothing	$200
			Entertainment	$200
			Other	$150
			Savings	$250
Totals	$2500			$2500

 

If Geraldine asked you to prepare a circle graph, there are several choices.

 

Method 1: Draw the graph using a compass and a protractor.

 

Click on the button to the left to view How to Make a Circle Graph.

 

The following questions apply to the circle graph for Geraldine’s budget.

 

Try This 1

1. What is the sum of all the percentages shown for Geraldine’s budget?
   
   
2. Total all the degrees for each budget sector (wedge). What is this total? How does knowing this total help you create circle graphs?
   
   
3.  
   1. If Geraldine’s total expenses were $2500 and she spent $500 on car expenses, what percentage of her budget was spent on car expenses?
      
      
   2. What would be the degrees of the sector (wedge) used to represent car expenses in the circle graph?