Write fractions that represent the shaded and unshaded portions of the figure below

Explanation

Strategy

We will determine the number of equal parts into which the figure is divided. Then we will determine how many of those parts are shaded.

WHY

The denominator of a fraction shows the number of equal parts in the whole. The numerator shows how many of those parts are being considered.

Solution
Since the figure is divided into 3 equal parts, the denominator of the fraction is 3. Since 2 of those parts are shaded, the numerator is 2, and we say that

\(\frac{2}{3}\) of the figure is shaded.  write \(\color{red}{\frac{number  of  parts  shaded}{number  of  equal  parts}}\)

Since 1 of the 3 equal parts of the figure is not shaded, the numerator is 1, and we say that

\(\frac{1}{3}\) of the figure is shaded.  write \(\color{red}{\frac{number  of  parts  not  shaded}{number  of  equal  parts}}\)