Shading fractions

A common way to show a fraction is to shade part of a shape.

If a rectangle is split into 4 equal strips and 3 of them are shaded, the shaded part is 3/4.

How to read a shaded fraction

1. Count the equal parts. That number goes on the bottom of the fraction (denominator).
2. Count the shaded parts. That number goes on the top (numerator).
3. Read it together.

Example 1

A circle is cut into 4 equal slices. 1 slice is coloured.

• Bottom: 4.
• Top: 1.
• Fraction: 1/4 ("one quarter").

Example 2

A rectangle is cut into 4 equal strips. 3 strips are coloured.

• Bottom: 4.
• Top: 3.
• Fraction: 3/4 ("three quarters").

Example 3

A square is cut into 2 equal halves. 1 half is shaded.

• Bottom: 2.
• Top: 1.
• Fraction: 1/2 ("one half").

Watch out

The parts must be equal. If a rectangle is cut into a big part and a small part, you cannot say "1/2" — that wouldn't be true.

Always check: are all the parts the same size?

Going the other way

If someone says "shade 2/4 of this rectangle":

1. Split the rectangle into 4 equal strips.
2. Shade 2 of them (any two).

The shaded part is now 2/4 of the rectangle.

Note: 2/4 is the same as half — both mean the same amount.

Summary

• To read a fraction from a picture: bottom = total equal parts, top = shaded parts.
• The parts must always be equal.
• 1/4 = one quarter, 2/4 = a half, 3/4 = three quarters.