A pie chart is a circular statistical graphic that is divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportions. Each slice represents a category's contribution to the whole, making it easy to compare different parts of a dataset. The entire pie represents 100%, and the size of each slice is proportional to its value relative to the total. Pie charts are commonly used in various fields, including business, education, and research, to present data visually. They are particularly effective for displaying simple data sets with a limited number of categories, such as sales distribution or survey results.