What is the appropriate use of a pie chart in data presentation?

A pie chart is particularly effective for visually representing the proportions of different categories as parts of a whole. When you need to convey how various segments contribute to an overall total, a pie chart clearly displays those relationships through slices of different sizes. Each slice indicates the percentage that particular category holds out of 100%, making it straightforward for viewers to grasp relative sizes at a glance.

This is different from the functions of other types of charts. For instance, illustrating growth over time or analyzing trends would typically require line graphs or bar charts. These are better suited for showing changes across time periods or comparing quantities. The pie chart's primary strength lies within its ability to demonstrate the distribution of a single dataset, which is why it is best used when the data can be expressed in percentage forms that make up a complete set.