Question 15 on the 2011 Paper A maths test is typical of the kind of fraction question which comes up time and time again. Perhaps oddly there is no mark for answering yes or No correctly, the mark has to be gained with a sensible explanation. The tricky part here is deciding what counts as an acceptable explanation. According to the mark scheme he following answers are acceptable: a. 2/6 is shaded and that is equivalent to 1/3. b. 2 out of 6 is the same as 1 out of 3. c. 2 out of 6 d. There are three squares and 2 halves are shaded, and two halves make one whole one. e. The two shaded triangles are the same as one square and that is one out of three squares f. 1 square out of 3 g. If you add the shaded parts together it makes one square Answers which are not acceptable include: a. It’s equivalent to one third b. 1/3 is shaded and 2/3 is not shaded c. the two parts add up to 1/3 half of two squares are shaded Suggested method: The acceptable explanations above give plenty of ideas for the suggested method. The key is to divide the middle square diagonally making 6 equal pieces in total. As two are shaded this means 2/6 is shaded. 2/6 is equivalent to 1/3. Go to question 15 Go to question 15 answer and suggested method