Lesson 2: Fractions as Parts of a Whole

A pizza is divided into 8 equal slices. You get to eat two of those slices. Which number would be in the denominator (bottom) of the fraction?

• 2

• 8

• 6

Answer explanation

The denominator (bottom) represents the total number of equal parts.

A pizza is divided into 8 equal slices. You get to eat two of those slices. Which number would be in the numerator (top) of the fraction?

• 2

• 8

• 6

Answer explanation

The top number represents how many parts, or slices of pizza, we get to have.

What fraction of the rectangle is shaded in red?

• 1/3

• 2/3

• 3/3

• 2/2

Answer explanation

The rectangle is divided into 3 equal parts making 3 the bottom number (denominator). 2 of those parts are shaded red making the top number (numerator) 2.

Match each fraction with the correct picture.

• 17/18 of the figure is shaded

• 
• 5/5 of the figure is shaded

• 
• 2/8 of figure is NOT shaded

• 
• 1/8 of figure is NOT shaded

• 
• 1/2 of the figure is shaded

• 

What fraction of plus signs are shaded in?

• 6/12

• 4/12

• 8/12

Answer explanation

There are 12 total plus signs and 8 of them are shaded in. 8 out of 12 are shaded in.

What fraction of the stars are shaded in?

• 3/6

• 3/5

• 1/2

• 2/6

Answer explanation

There are 6 stars. 3 are shaded in. 3 out of 6 are shaded or 3/6.

You could also think of that as 2 groups of 3 stars. 1 group of 3 stars is shaded in out of 2 groups of 3 stars. So 1/2 is shaded.

Answer explanation

You should have 4 circles shaded and 5 circles white

Shade in 2/3 of the circles.

Answer explanation

6 circles should be shaded and 3 circles should be white.

For every 3 circles, 2 should be shaded.

OR

If we take all 9 circles and split them into 3 equal groups, each group has 3 circles. Then we shade 2 of those groups or 6 circles.

What fraction of the figure is shaded? Select all that apply.

Answer explanation

Each figure is divided into 5 equal parts making the denominator 5. There are 11 pieces shaded in.

You can also think about it as 2 WHOLE figures are shaded in and 1/5 of the third figure.

After this lesson, you should be able to understand a fraction represents a part of a whole. Rate your level of understanding of this learning target from 1-4 based on this scale:

1 - I do not understand this at all

2 - I understand this a little but I need some help

3 - I understand this. I could can do it by myself

4 - I understand this and could teach it to someone else

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4