What Fraction Is Shaded?
Identifying what fraction is shaded is a Grade 4 visual fraction skill in Saxon Math Intermediate 4 Chapter 3. Students count the total equal parts of a shape to find the denominator, then count the shaded parts to find the numerator, writing the fraction as shaded parts over total parts. For example, if a rectangle is divided into 5 equal bars with 3 shaded, the fraction is 3/5. A related skill is finding the fraction of leftover (unshaded) parts: subtract the shaded count from the total, then place that number over the total.
Key Concepts
Property To identify the fraction shown in a figure, count the total number of equal parts to find the denominator. Then, count the number of shaded parts to find the numerator. The fraction is $\frac{\text{Shaded Parts}}{\text{Total Parts}}$.
Examples A rectangle is divided into 5 equal bars and 3 are shaded. The fraction is $\frac{3}{5}$. A circle is cut into 8 equal slices and 5 are shaded. The fraction is $\frac{5}{8}$. A grid has 10 total squares and 7 are shaded. The fraction represented is $\frac{7}{10}$.
Explanation Become a fraction detective! Your first mission is to count all the equal pieces in a shape—that gives you the bottom number (denominator). Your second mission is to count only the shaded pieces—that's your top number (numerator). Put them together, and you've solved the mystery of the fraction!
Common Questions
How do I find the fraction shown by a shaded figure?
Count the total number of equal parts for the denominator, then count the shaded parts for the numerator. Write shaded parts over total parts.
A rectangle has 5 bars and 3 are shaded. What fraction is shaded?
3/5. Three shaded bars out of 5 total equal bars.
How do I find the fraction of the unshaded (leftover) parts?
Subtract the shaded count from the total to find the unshaded count, then write it over the total. If 3 of 10 sections are shaded, 7 sections are unshaded: 7/10.
What if the parts in a figure are not equal in size?
Unequal parts do not form a valid fraction. All parts must be equal for the shaded region to represent a meaningful fraction of the whole.
What is the most common mistake when reading a fraction from a figure?
Mixing up the numerator and denominator—putting the total on top. Always place the total in the denominator and the shaded count in the numerator.