The amount of money spent by a family on various expenses is given in a table. If the family constructs a pie chart using these figures, what is the approximate measure of the central angel of the sector used to represent the percentage of total expenses spent on food? (chart: rent=$750, food=$575, utilities=$120, car loan=$450, medical=$65, entertainment=$120, credit card=$350, misc=$95...gives a total expenses as $2525).

Question

The amount of money spent by a family on various expenses is given in a table.  If the family constructs a pie chart using these figures, what is the approximate measure of the central angel of the sector used to represent the percentage of total expenses spent on food?  (chart:  rent=$750, food=$575, utilities=$120, car loan=$450, medical=$65, entertainment=$120, credit card=$350, misc=$95...gives a total expenses as $2525).

Ms. Sue · Answer

Total number of degrees in the center = 360.

To get you started:

Rent: 750 / 2525 = 0.297 = 29.7%
360 * 0.297 = 106.9 = 107 degrees

Food: 575 / 2525 = 0.228 = 22.8%
360 * 0.228 = 82.08 = 82 degrees

I'm sure you can complete this pie chart. We'll be glad to check your work.