Creating a Circle Graph for Each Lake

Oct 13, 2025 by leolavanderia.com.br 93 views

Introduction

Circle graphs, also known as pie charts, are a type of data visualization that uses a circle to display how different categories contribute to a whole. In this article, we will create circle graphs for each set of data related to the Great Lakes' areas in square miles. We will use the data provided in the table below to create these graphs.

Data Table

Lake	Area in Square Miles
Lake Superior	31,820
Lake Huron	23,010
Lake Michigan	22,400
Lake Erie	9,900

Creating a Circle Graph for Each Lake

To create a circle graph for each lake, we will use the area in square miles as the data value. We will divide the data value by the total area of all lakes to get the proportion of each lake's area.

Lake Superior Circle Graph

To create a circle graph for Lake Superior, we will use the following steps:

Calculate the proportion of Lake Superior's area by dividing its area by the total area of all lakes.
Use a circle graph to display the proportion of Lake Superior's area.

Code

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Data values
lake_superior_area = 31820
lake_huron_area = 23010
lake_michigan_area = 22400
lake_erie_area = 9900

# Total area of all lakes
total_area = lake_superior_area + lake_huron_area + lake_michigan_area + lake_erie_area

# Proportion of Lake Superior's area
proportion_lake_superior = (lake_superior_area / total_area) * 100

# Create a circle graph
plt.pie([proportion_lake_superior], labels=['Lake Superior'], autopct='%1.1f%%')
plt.title('Lake Superior Circle Graph')
plt.show()

Lake Huron Circle Graph

To create a circle graph for Lake Huron, we will use the following steps:

Calculate the proportion of Lake Huron's area by dividing its area by the total area of all lakes.
Use a circle graph to display the proportion of Lake Huron's area.

Code

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Data values
lake_superior_area = 31820
lake_huron_area = 23010
lake_michigan_area = 22400
lake_erie_area = 9900

# Total area of all lakes
total_area = lake_superior_area + lake_huron_area + lake_michigan_area + lake_erie_area

# Proportion of Lake Huron's area
proportion_lake_huron = (lake_huron_area / total_area) * 100

# Create a circle graph
plt.pie([proportion_lake_huron], labels=['Lake Huron'], autopct='%1.1f%%')
plt.title('Lake Huron Circle Graph')
plt.show()

Lake Michigan Circle Graph

To create a circle graph for Lake Michigan, we will use the following steps:

Calculate the proportion of Lake Michigan's area by dividing its area by the total area of all lakes.
Use a circle graph to display the proportion of Lake Michigan's area.

Code

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Data values
lake_superior_area = 31820
lake_huron_area = 23010
lake_michigan_area = 22400
lake_erie_area = 9900

# Total area of all lakes
total_area = lake_superior_area + lake_huron_area + lake_michigan_area + lake_erie_area

# Proportion of Lake Michigan's area
proportion_lake_michigan = (lake_michigan_area / total_area) * 100

# Create a circle graph
plt.pie([proportion_lake_michigan], labels=['Lake Michigan'], autopct='%1.1f%%')
plt.title('Lake Michigan Circle Graph')
plt.show()

Lake Erie Circle Graph

To create a circle graph for Lake Erie, we will use the following steps:

Calculate the proportion of Lake Erie's area by dividing its area by the total area of all lakes.
Use a circle graph to display the proportion of Lake Erie's area.

Code

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Data values
lake_superior_area = 31820
lake_huron_area = 23010
lake_michigan_area = 22400
lake_erie_area = 9900

# Total area of all lakes
total_area = lake_superior_area + lake_huron_area + lake_michigan_area + lake_erie_area

# Proportion of Lake Erie's area
proportion_lake_erie = (lake_erie_area / total_area) * 100

# Create a circle graph
plt.pie([proportion_lake_erie], labels=['Lake Erie'], autopct='%1.1f%%')
plt.title('Lake Erie Circle Graph')
plt.show()

Conclusion

Q: What is a circle graph?

A: A circle graph, also known as a pie chart, is a type of data visualization that uses a circle to display how different categories contribute to a whole.

Q: Why are circle graphs useful?

A: Circle graphs are useful because they provide a quick and easy way to visualize how different categories contribute to a whole. They are particularly useful for displaying categorical data, such as the areas of the Great Lakes.

Q: How do I create a circle graph?

A: To create a circle graph, you will need to follow these steps:

Collect the data you want to display in the circle graph.
Calculate the proportion of each category's data.
Use a circle graphing tool or library, such as matplotlib in Python, to create the circle graph.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when creating a circle graph?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when creating a circle graph include:

Not using a clear and concise title for the graph.
Not labeling the categories clearly.
Not using a consistent color scheme.
Not using a clear and easy-to-read font.

Q: How do I choose the right colors for my circle graph?

A: When choosing colors for your circle graph, it is best to use a consistent color scheme that is easy to read and understand. Some popular color schemes include:

Monochromatic: using different shades of the same color.
Complementary: using colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel.
Analogous: using colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.

Q: Can I use a circle graph to display numerical data?

A: While circle graphs are typically used to display categorical data, you can also use them to display numerical data. However, it is best to use a different type of graph, such as a bar chart or line graph, to display numerical data.

Q: How do I customize my circle graph?

A: You can customize your circle graph by using different colors, fonts, and labels. You can also add additional features, such as a legend or a title, to make the graph more informative and easy to understand.

Q: Can I use a circle graph to display data from multiple categories?

A: Yes, you can use a circle graph to display data from multiple categories. However, it is best to use a different type of graph, such as a stacked bar chart or a grouped bar chart, to display data from multiple categories.

Q: How do I create a circle graph using Python and matplotlib?

A: To create a circle graph using Python and matplotlib, you will need to follow these steps:

Import the matplotlib library.
Collect the data you want to display in the circle graph.
Calculate the proportion of each category's data.
Use the pie function to create the circle graph.

Example Code

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Data values
lake_superior_area = 31820
lake_huron_area = 23010
lake_michigan_area = 22400
lake_erie_area = 9900

# Total area of all lakes
total_area = lake_superior_area + lake_huron_area + lake_michigan_area + lake_erie_area

# Proportion of each lake's area
proportion_lake_superior = (lake_superior_area / total_area) * 100
proportion_lake_huron = (lake_huron_area / total_area) * 100
proportion_lake_michigan = (lake_michigan_area / total_area) * 100
proportion_lake_erie = (lake_erie_area / total_area) * 100

# Create a circle graph
plt.pie([proportion_lake_superior, proportion_lake_huron, proportion_lake_michigan, proportion_lake_erie], labels=['Lake Superior', 'Lake Huron', 'Lake Michigan', 'Lake Erie'], autopct='%1.1f%%')
plt.title('Great Lakes Circle Graph')
plt.show()

Conclusion

In this article, we answered some frequently asked questions about circle graphs for Great Lakes' areas. We covered topics such as what a circle graph is, why they are useful, and how to create one using Python and matplotlib. We also provided some tips and tricks for customizing and using circle graphs effectively.