Answers

Solution

We need to ask two questions. First, how many equal parts are there? This will be the denominator. Second, of these equal parts, how many are shaded? This will be the numerator.

(a)

\text{How many equal parts are there?} \text{There are eight equal parts.}
\text{How many are shaded?} \text{Five parts are shaded.}

Five out of eight parts are shaded. Therefore, the fraction of the circle that is shaded is \frac{5}{8}.

(b)

\text{How many equal parts are there?} \text{There are nine equal parts.}
\text{How many are shaded?} \text{Two parts are shaded.}

Two out of nine parts are shaded. Therefore, the fraction of the square that is shaded is \frac{2}{9}.

 

TRY IT 4.1

(a) \frac{3}{8}

(b) \frac{4}{9} 


TRY IT 4.2

(a) \frac{3}{5}
(b) \frac{3}{4}

 

Example 4.2 

Solution

The denominator is 4, so we divide the circle into four equal parts (a).
The numerator is 3, so we shade three of the four parts (b).

 


\frac{3}{4} of the circle is shaded.


TRY IT 4.3


 

TRY IT 4.4