If 1/3 and 2/5 of a square are shaded what is the rest

Question

If I have a square and 1/3 and 2/5 are shaded what is the third part of it

Answer 1

Lois, to answer this question, you need to first determine the fractional part that represents the total shaded portion. Then, you can subtract that shaded portion from one whole to determine the unshaded portion. 

To calculate the sum of the shaded portion, you need to add 1/3 and 2/5. To add 1/3 and 2/5, you should generate equivalent fractions that share a common denominator. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this, you can do so concretely (with physical objects), representationally (with visual pictures), or abstractly (using an algorithm or equation). Please let me know your comfort level with fractions, and I would be glad to help you. My goal is to help you develop a better conceptual understanding of fractions.