Fraction Area - Word Problem

Question

The shape shown below is made up of 9 equal sized squares. What fraction of the shape area is dotted?

Choices

A) 5/4

B) 4/9

C) 4/5

D) 5/9

In this question a shape is given and the information given is that the shape is made up of 9 equal size squares, some of the squares in the shape are dotted.

It is asked what fraction of the shape area is dotted.

A fraction refers to a part of a whole, the question here is what part of the whole shape is dotted.

In this example the complete shape is made up of 9 equal squares, these 9 equal squares are like 9 equal parts that make up the whole shape.

So in this question 9 equal squares make up the whole and 5 of these squares are dotted.

5 of the 9 parts are dotted.

That means 5 of the 9 parts are dotted so the fraction of the shape area that is dotted equals 5/9

That is five ninth of the area is dotted.

Fraction of the shape area that is dotted = 5/9

Choice D is the correct answer.