Fractions of a grid

In your book, Maths Mela (Chapter 2), there are three grids called A, B and C, all the same size. Each grid has 6 rows, and each row has 8 squares. So each grid has 6 × 8 = 48 squares in all.

The book asks us to shade 1/8 of Grid A. To find 1/8, we split the 48 squares into 8 equal parts. 8 × 6 = 48, so each part is 6 squares. 1/8 of the grid is 6 squares. One full column (going down) has exactly 6 squares, so shading one column shades 1/8.

Next, shade 1/6 of Grid B. Split 48 into 6 equal parts: 6 × 8 = 48, so 1/6 is 8 squares. One full row has 8 squares, so one row is 1/6 of the grid. Then shade 1/12 of Grid C: 12 × 4 = 48, so 1/12 is 4 squares, for example half of one row.

Can you find 1/3 in a grid? Split 48 into 3 equal parts: 3 × 16 = 48, so 1/3 is 16 squares. That is 2 full rows. So in Grid B, two rows of 8 are 2/6 of the grid, and they are also 1/3 of it.