The Stained-Glass Window

Problem 6: The Stained-Glass Window

1. Name the first fraction

There are 8 equal panes in the whole window, and 3 of them are purple.

The purple fraction is 3/8. The numerator 3 counts the purple panes, and the denominator 8 counts all the equal panes in the whole window.

2. Update the fraction

Alex changes 2 more panes to purple:

3 + 2 = 5

Now 5 of the 8 equal panes are purple, so the purple fraction is 5/8. The whole window still has 8 equal panes, so the denominator does not change.