Final answer:
To find what fraction of a shape is shaded, we divide the total number of parts by the number of shaded parts. For example, if half of 15 parts is shaded, then approximately half of the shape is shaded which simplifies to the fraction 1/2. Exact fraction determination requires whole numbers in both the numerator and denominator.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine what fraction of a shape is shaded, we need to ascertain the total number of equal parts in the whole shape and then identify how many of those parts are shaded. Suppose we are given a shape divided into 15 parts, and the shaded portion is half of it.
We can use the information provided to calculate the fraction. If half of the 15 parts is shaded, then the shaded fraction would be 15 divided by 2, which is 7.5. However, since we need to express fractions in terms of whole numbers, the closest we can get is saying that approximately half of the shape is shaded. This can be written as a fraction 1/2 or 2/4 after simplifying.
Another method is as expressed in the hint, 'To answer, pick a scenario you already know and back-out the answer.' For instance, if we know that one half of one-half is one quarter, we can use similar reasoning to find that one half of 15 parts would be approximately 7.5 parts, but since a fraction needs whole numbers, we simply state that approximately half the shape is shaded.
Please keep in mind that the exact fraction cannot be determined without knowing how many parts are precisely shaded, as fractions must consist of whole numbers in the numerator and denominator. The instructions of using 'lowest term' suggest that any answer should be simplified as much as possible. Given the illustrative examples, the answer would be simplified to 1/2 or 2/4.