Definition
A circular chart divided into wedge-shaped sectors, where each sector represents a portion of the whole and the size of the sector is proportional to the quantity it represents. The full circle equals 100 percent, and the sum of all sectors equals the total being shown.
Plain English
A round chart cut into pie-slice pieces. Each slice shows how big one part is compared to the whole thing.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation textbooks, training reports, safety summaries, and other materials that compare percentages or proportions.
Derivation
Circle comes from Latin words meaning a ring or round shape. Graph comes from Greek meaning to write or draw. Together, the term means a drawing that uses a round shape to show information.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots may see circle graphs in training or safety information. Understanding them helps a pilot quickly see which part of a total is largest, smallest, or most important.
Analogy
Think of a pizza cut into uneven slices. A bigger slice means a bigger share of the pizza. A circle graph works the same way with numbers.
Intuition Check
Circle graph does not mean any round drawing or diagram. It specifically shows proportions by dividing a circle into sized sectors.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor showed a circle graph of aircraft accident causes, with pilot error taking up the largest sector.
Example Sentence 2
During the briefing the instructor displayed a circle graph of engine failure causes to highlight the most common issues.