Circle Graphs
A circle graph is used to show how a whole amount is divided into parts. The circle in a circle graph represents the whole and is broken up into sections based on percentages of the whole. If you add all the percentages on a graph together, they should total 100%.
Circle graphs are often used to show how money is spent. This graph shows how the Miller family budgeted its income. The circle represents the entire amount of money to be budgeted, or 100%. The pie-shaped sections represent the percentages budgeted for individual items.
Each section is labeled with the name of an expense and a percent of the family’s income as follows: Utilities: 5%; Transportation 9%; Clothes 7%; Savings 5%; Taxes and Other Deductions 15%; Food 14%; Housing 29%; Other 16%.
Compare the sections for savings and taxes. Since 15% is three times more than 5%, the size of the taxes section is three times larger than the section for savings.
Now add the percents in the sections. \(29\% + 14\% + 15\% + 5\% + 7\% + 9\% + 5\% + 16\% = 100\% \)
The sections add up to 100%, the entire family income.
