Which type of data is most appropriate to display using a chart?
Table of contents
- 1. Intro to Stats and Collecting Data1h 14m
- 2. Describing Data with Tables and Graphs1h 55m
- 3. Describing Data Numerically2h 5m
- 4. Probability2h 16m
- 5. Binomial Distribution & Discrete Random Variables3h 6m
- 6. Normal Distribution and Continuous Random Variables2h 11m
- 7. Sampling Distributions & Confidence Intervals: Mean3h 23m
- Sampling Distribution of the Sample Mean and Central Limit Theorem19m
- Distribution of Sample Mean - Excel23m
- Introduction to Confidence Intervals15m
- Confidence Intervals for Population Mean1h 18m
- Determining the Minimum Sample Size Required12m
- Finding Probabilities and T Critical Values - Excel28m
- Confidence Intervals for Population Means - Excel25m
- 8. Sampling Distributions & Confidence Intervals: Proportion1h 25m
- 9. Hypothesis Testing for One Sample3h 29m
- 10. Hypothesis Testing for Two Samples4h 50m
- Two Proportions1h 13m
- Two Proportions Hypothesis Test - Excel28m
- Two Means - Unknown, Unequal Variance1h 3m
- Two Means - Unknown Variances Hypothesis Test - Excel12m
- Two Means - Unknown, Equal Variance15m
- Two Means - Unknown, Equal Variances Hypothesis Test - Excel9m
- Two Means - Known Variance12m
- Two Means - Sigma Known Hypothesis Test - Excel21m
- Two Means - Matched Pairs (Dependent Samples)42m
- Matched Pairs Hypothesis Test - Excel12m
- 11. Correlation1h 24m
- 12. Regression1h 50m
- 13. Chi-Square Tests & Goodness of Fit2h 21m
- 14. ANOVA1h 57m
2. Describing Data with Tables and Graphs
Pie Charts
Problem 2.1.5c
Textbook Question
Selling Yourself This USA Today–type chart shows the top responses to the question, “Who’s the most difficult to ‘sell yourself’ to?”
Explain why this graphic cannot be displayed as a pie chart.

Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the nature of a pie chart. A pie chart represents parts of a whole, where all the categories combined must sum to 100%. Each slice of the pie corresponds to the proportion of each category relative to the total.
Step 2: Examine the given data percentages: Boss (25%), Clients/Customers (20%), Significant other (15%), Colleagues (13%), and Parents (8%). Add these percentages to check if they sum to 100%.
Step 3: Calculate the total percentage: \$25\% + 20\% + 15\% + 13\% + 8\% = 81\%$. Since the total is less than 100%, the data does not represent the entire population or all possible categories.
Step 4: Recognize that because the total is less than 100%, the missing 19% represents other categories or responses not shown. This incomplete total means the data cannot be accurately represented as a pie chart, which requires all parts to sum to 100%.
Step 5: Conclude that a bar chart is more appropriate here because it can display individual category percentages without requiring them to sum to 100%, allowing for clear comparison of the top responses.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Pie Chart Requirements
A pie chart represents parts of a whole, so the data categories must sum to 100%. If the total percentage is less than or more than 100%, a pie chart would misrepresent the data by implying completeness or exclusivity that doesn't exist.
Recommended video:
Creating Pie Charts
Data Completeness and Representation
The given data does not cover all possible categories, as the percentages add up to less than 100%. This means the responses shown are only a subset, making a pie chart inappropriate because it would suggest these categories are exhaustive.
Recommended video:
Introduction to Collecting Data
Bar Chart Advantages
Bar charts effectively display individual category values without implying they sum to a whole. They allow comparison of different categories independently, making them suitable when data is partial or categories are not mutually exclusive.
Recommended video:
Creating Bar Graphs and Pareto Charts
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