Identify the Fraction: Example Question
31 October 2026
Identifying fractions is an important skill for children preparing for the 11+. It helps them understand how to describe parts of a whole in everyday maths. Using clear shapes and simple steps makes it easier for your child to see what a fraction really means.
If your child is practising with resources like maths.com uk or similar, this type of example is a calm way to introduce the basics before moving on to more challenging questions.
Worked example
Here is one whole rectangle divided into 4 equal parts. Three parts are shaded. What fraction of the rectangle is shaded?
Step 1: Find the whole. The whole is one complete rectangle.
Step 2: Check the parts are equal. The rectangle is split into 4 equal parts.
Step 3: Count the total parts. There are 4 parts in total.
Step 4: Count the shaded parts. Three parts are shaded.
The fraction shaded is 3/4.
Key insight: After working through this example, your child will know how to spot the whole, check for equal parts, and count the shaded sections to find the fraction. This builds confidence for recognising fractions in shapes and numbers.
Now your child can try similar questions to practise identifying fractions in different shapes and settings.
