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CDS Pie Charts

Study Material — 8 PYQs (2021–2021) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts

CDS Pie Charts is a frequently tested subtopic — 8 previous year questions from 2021–2021 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.

8 PYQs
2021–2021
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10 Key Points
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Previous Year Questions

CDS Pie Charts — Past Exam Questions

8 questions from actual CDS papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution

Exam Q 12021Previous Year Pattern

What is the ratio of revenue from Software Solutions to the combined revenue from Others and Licensing & Subscriptions?

Exam Q 22021Previous Year Pattern

What is the ratio of production in Electronics division to the combined production of Chemicals and Packaging divisions in 2023?

Exam Q 32021Previous Year Pattern

What percentage of the total 2023 production is contributed by divisions producing less than 500 thousand units each?

Exam Q 42021Previous Year Pattern

In 2024, considering the planned increases for Electronics (25%) and Automotive (15%) divisions while all others maintain 2023 levels, what will be the total production of TechCorp Industries?

Exam Q 52021Previous Year Pattern

What is the difference between the production of Automotive and Pharmaceuticals divisions in 2023?

Exam Q 62021Previous Year Pattern

What is the difference (in ₹ crores) between the revenue generated from Software Solutions and Hardware & Devices?

Exam Q 72021Previous Year Pattern

If Cloud Services revenue increased by 25% from the previous year, what was the revenue from Cloud Services in the previous year (in ₹ crores)?

Exam Q 82021Previous Year Pattern

What is the combined revenue (in ₹ crores) from Consulting & Support and Licensing & Subscriptions categories?

Concept Notes

Pie Charts— Rules & Concept

Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic

Pie charts are circular diagrams that show how a whole is divided into parts. Think of a pizza cut into slices - each slice represents a portion of the total. In SSC CGL, pie charts appear in 80% of papers, usually with 2-3 questions worth 6-9 marks.

Key RulesCore rules you must know cold

The complete circle equals 360 degrees. Each part is shown as a sector (slice). The angle of each sector is proportional to the data it represents. All sectors together must equal 360 degrees or 100%.

Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper

Block:

• Central Angle = (Value/Total Value) × 360°
• Percentage = (Value/Total Value) × 100
• Value = (Central Angle/360°) × Total Value
• Ratio Formula: If angle is θ°, then ratio = θ/360
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

SSC asks three main question types. First, direct calculations from given percentages or angles. Second, comparison questions asking 'how much more' or 'what is the ratio'. Third, application problems combining pie charts with other topics like profit-loss or averages. Powerful Shortcut #1 - The 36° Rule: Since 360° = 100%, then 36° = 10%.

This means 18° = 5%, 72° = 20%, 108° = 30%. Memorize these common angle-percentage pairs to solve questions in 10 seconds. Shortcut #2 - Direct Proportion Method: Instead of calculating percentages, use direct ratios. If sector A has 60° and sector B has 120°, then B is exactly double A. No complex calculations needed.

Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1

Marketing angle = 72°

2
Step 2

Using formula: Value = (72°/360°) × 50,000

3
Step 3

= (1/5) × 50,000 = ₹10,000 Alternate Quick Method: 72° = 20% (using 36° rule), so 20% of 50,000 = ₹10,000 Worked Example 2: In a pie chart showing student preferences, Cricket gets 126°, Football gets 90°, Hockey gets 54°. What percentage more students prefer Cricket over Hockey?

1
Step 1

Cricket = 126°, Hockey = 54°

2
Step 2

Difference = 126° - 54° = 72°

3
Step 3

72° = 20% (using shortcut)

4
Step 4

Hockey percentage = 54°/360° = 15%

5
Step 5

Cricket percentage = 126°/360° = 35%

6
Step 6

Cricket is 35% - 15% = 20% more than Hockey Shortcut #3 - The Remainder Trick: When some sectors are given and you need to find the remaining sector, don't calculate each percentage. Simply subtract given angles from 360°. If three sectors are 80°, 120°, and 70°, the fourth sector is 360° - 270° = 90°. Most Common Trap - The Percentage vs Angle Confusion: Students often mix up

When to UseQuickly decide which method to apply in the exam

percentages and when to use angles. Remember: if the question gives percentages, convert to angles by multiplying by 3.6.

If it gives angles, convert to percentages by dividing by 3.6. This single mistake costs students 2-3 marks per paper. Another Critical Error: Students forget that pie charts represent parts of a whole.

You cannot add values from two different pie charts directly unless they have the same total value. Always check if the total values are same before making comparisons. Pro Tip for Complex Questions: When pie charts combine with other topics, first extract the basic values from the pie chart, then apply the second concept.

Don't try to solve everything in one step.

Key Points to Remember

  • Complete pie chart always equals 360° or 100%
  • Formula: Central Angle = (Value/Total) × 360°
  • Quick conversion: 36° = 10%, so 72° = 20%, 108° = 30%
  • Shortcut: Use direct ratios instead of calculating percentages
  • Remainder formula: Missing sector = 360° - sum of given sectors
  • Each sector angle is proportional to the data value it represents
  • Percentage to angle: multiply by 3.6, angle to percentage: divide by 3.6
  • Never directly compare values from different pie charts with different totals
  • For 'how much more' questions, find the difference in percentages or angles
  • Most questions test either direct calculation or comparison between sectors

Exam-Specific Tips

  • A complete circle has exactly 360 degrees
  • 1% of pie chart equals 3.6 degrees
  • Common sector angles: 90° = 25%, 120° = 33.33%, 180° = 50%
  • If a sector shows 15% data, its central angle is 54°
  • Two sectors with angles 40° and 80° are in ratio 1:2
  • Maximum possible sectors in a readable pie chart is typically 8-10
  • Semi-circle in pie chart represents exactly 50% of total data
  • Quarter circle (90°) represents exactly 25% of total data
Practice MCQs

Pie Charts — Practice Questions

91graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis · showing 20 of 91

All MCQs →
Practice 1easy

What is the ratio of Laptops sales to Tablets sales?

Practice 2easy

What is the value of sales from Smartphones in March 2024?

Practice 3easy

What is the combined sales value (in ₹) of Smartphones and Tablets?

Practice 4easy

What is the ratio of Apple sales to OnePlus sales?

Practice 5easy

By what amount (in lakhs) do Electronics sales exceed Home & Garden sales?

Practice 6easy

What is the sales value (in lakhs) of the Electronics category?

Practice 7easy

If the total sales increase to ₹6,000 lakhs in Q1 2024 with the same percentage distribution, what will be the sales value (in lakhs) for Laptops?

Practice 8easy

What is the sales value (in ₹) of Laptops in March 2024?

Practice 9easy

If the company's total sales increase to ₹6,000 lakhs next year with the same percentage distribution, what will be the sales value (in lakhs) of the Clothing category?

Practice 10easy

What is the ratio of Accessories sales to Tablets sales?

Practice 11easy

What is the sales value (in lakhs) for the Smartphones category?

Practice 12easy

What is the combined sales value of Clothing and Home & Kitchen categories (in lakhs)?

Practice 13easy

What is the ratio of Software sales to Accessories sales?

Practice 14easy

If the company aims to increase total sales to ₹6,000 lakhs next year while maintaining the same percentage distribution, what will be the sales value of Home & Kitchen category (in lakhs)?

Practice 15easy

By what amount (in ₹) do Accessories sales exceed Software sales?

Practice 16easy

What is the ratio of sales of Books & Media to Toys & Games?

Practice 17easy

What is the sales value (in lakhs) of the Electronics category?

Practice 18easy

What is the ratio of Sports & Outdoors sales to Books & Media sales?

Practice 19easy

What is the ratio of Home & Garden sales to Books & Media sales?

Practice 20easy

What is the sales value (in lakhs) of the Electronics category?

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60-Second Revision — Pie Charts

  • Remember: 360° = 100%, so 36° = 10% for quick calculations
  • Formula: Value = (Angle/360°) × Total Value
  • Trap: Never mix percentages with angles - convert first
  • Shortcut: Use direct ratios instead of complex percentage calculations
  • Quick check: All sector angles must add up to exactly 360°
  • For comparisons: Find difference in angles, then convert to percentage if needed
  • Pro tip: Extract pie chart values first, then apply other mathematical concepts
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