Pie-chart
A pie graph (or pie chart) is a specialized graph used in statistics. The independent variable is plotted around a circle in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction.The dependent variable (usually a percentage) is rendered as an arc whose measure is proportional to the magnitude of the quantity.Each arc is depicted by constructing radial lines from its ends to the center of the circle, creating a wedge-shaped “slice.”The independent variable can attain a finite number of discrete values (for example, five).The dependent variable can attain any value from zero to 100 percent.
The illustration is a pie graph depicting the results of a final exam given to a hypothetical class of students.Each grade is denoted by a “slice.”The total of the percentages is equal to 100 (this is important; if it were not, the accuracy of the graph would be suspect).The total of the arc measures is equal to 360 degrees.
From this graph, one might gather that the professor for this course was not especially lenient nor severe.It is evident that grading was not done on a “pure curve” (in which case all the arcs would have equal measures of 72 degrees, corresponding to 20%).If this graph were compared with those of classes from other years that received the same test from the same professor, some conclusions might be drawn about intelligence changes among students over the years.If this graph were compared with those of other classes in the same semester who had received the same final exam but who had taken the course from different professors, one might draw conclusions about the relative competence and/or grading whims of the professors.
Example
Imagine you survey your friends to find the kind of movie they like best:
|
Table: Favourite Type of Movie |
||||
|
Comedy |
Action |
Romance |
Drama |
SciFi |
|
4 |
5 |
6 |
1 |
4 |
Pie chart representation of above table
Probability
Probability is simply how likely something is to happen.
Whenever we’re unsure about the outcome of an event, we can talk about the probabilities of certain outcomes—how likely they are. The analysis of events governed by probability is called statistics.
Tossing a Coin
When a coin is tossed, there are two possible outcomes:
heads (H) or tails (T)
We say that the probability of the coin landing H is ½ And the probability of the coin landing T is ½.
Throwing Dice
When a single die is thrown, there are six possible outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
The probability of any one of them is 16
Number of ways it can happen
Probability of an event happening = ________________________
Total number of outcomes