How to Create a Chart/Graph

Creating a Pie Chart

Let’s create a pie chart showing the different types of fruit sold in a produce stand. We talk to Sam, our local fruit seller, and he tells us that every week he sells 500 oranges, 250 apples and 125 each of bananas and pears.

First we need to figure out how many pieces of fruit we have in total. This is easy, we just add up 500 oranges + 250 apples + 125 bananas + 125 pears to determine that we have 1000 pieces of fruit in total.

Now we need to find out the percentage out of 100 for each type of fruit. We do this by dividing the number of each type of fruit by the total:

• Oranges: 500/1000 = 50%
• Apples: 250/1000 = 25%
• Bananas: 125/1000 = 12.5%
• Pears: 125/1000 = 12.5%
• Total: 100%

Note: To determine a percentage, divide the numerator by the denominator, and then multiply the answer by one hundred.

Example: 500/1000 = 0.50, 0.50 x 100=50