Math · Stage 6

Interpret pie charts and use averages to compare data

Two data power-moves for the top of primary: read a pie chart as slices of one whole (a fraction, a percentage, a slice of 360°), and find the mean — the fair-share average — to compare one group against another.

✦ Math📘 Stage 6 · S6⏱ ~12 min🧒 Ages 10–12★ Free to start

I can interpret pie charts and use averages to compare data.

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Kavi and the Whole Pie 🥧

Kavi was handed two puzzles at once. "A pie chart is one whole circle cut into slices — a big slice means a big share. Half the pie is 1/2, which is 50%, which is 180°," hooted Kavi. "And when two teams play, I don't compare their totals — I find the mean, the fair-share average: add them all, then divide by how many. The group with the higher mean did better on average!"

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What your child will learn

1A pie chart shows slices of one wholeA pie chart is a circle that stands for one whole — a whole class, a whole day, 100%. It is cut into slices, and each slice is a share of the whole. A bigger slice means a bigger share. Read a slice three ways: as a fraction of the circle, as a percentage (the whole = 100%), or as degrees (the whole circle = 360°). Tap each line to hear it.

2Shade the slices to read the shareThis pie is cut into 4 equal slices, so each slice is 1/4 of the whole. Tap slices to shade them: 1 slice is 1/4 = 25% = 90°, 2 slices is 2/4 = 1/2 = 50% = 180°, and 4 slices fill the whole circle = 100% = 360°.

3The mean shares the total out fairlyThe mean (the everyday average) imagines sharing everything out equally. The rule is: add up all the values, then divide by how many values there are. The mean lands somewhere in the middle — never bigger than the biggest value, never smaller than the smallest.

4Two power-moves, one for each questionMatch the question to the move. To compare two groups fairly — especially if they played a different number of games — compare their means, not their totals. The higher mean did better on average.

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A peek inside

A pie chart of 24 children shows favourite fruit: 1/2 chose mango, 1/4 apple, 1/4 banana. How many chose mango?

1/2 of the whole: 24 ÷ 2

Try this at home: A pie chart shows half the circle shaded blue. What fraction is blue, and what percentage? __

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

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Part of Math · Stage 6 · S6 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.