"Highest Elevation The following data represent the land area and highest elevation for each of the seven continents.

a. Would it make sense to draw a pie chart for land area? Why? If so, draw a pie chart."

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the data provided. The table lists the land area (in square miles) and highest elevation (in feet) for each of the seven continents. For a pie chart, we focus on the land area values because pie charts represent parts of a whole.
2. Step 2: Determine if a pie chart is appropriate. Since the land area values represent parts of the total land area of all continents combined, a pie chart is suitable to show the proportion each continent contributes to the total land area.
3. Step 3: Calculate the total land area by summing the land areas of all continents: \(\text{Total Land Area} = 11,608,000 + 5,100,000 + 17,212,000 + 3,132,000 + 3,837,000 + 9,449,000 + 6,879,000\).
4. Step 4: Calculate the proportion (or percentage) of each continent's land area relative to the total land area. For each continent, use the formula: \(\text{Proportion} = \frac{\text{Continent Land Area}}{\text{Total Land Area}}\).
5. Step 5: Use these proportions to draw the pie chart. Each slice of the pie chart corresponds to a continent, and the size of each slice is proportional to its land area percentage. Label each slice with the continent name and its percentage.

Key Concepts

Pie Chart

A pie chart is a circular graph divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportions. It is best used to represent parts of a whole, where each slice corresponds to a category's contribution to the total. For example, showing the proportion of land area each continent occupies relative to the total land area.

Categorical vs. Quantitative Data

Categorical data represent distinct groups or categories, such as continents, while quantitative data are numerical values, like land area or elevation. Pie charts are suitable for categorical data with quantitative measures that sum to a whole, making land area by continent an appropriate use.

Data Suitability for Visualization

Choosing the right graph depends on the data's nature and the message to convey. Since land area values are parts of a total land surface, a pie chart effectively shows relative sizes. However, highest elevation values are individual measurements and do not sum to a whole, so a pie chart would not be appropriate for them.