A decorative sign consists of a white square four meters on each side, painted symmetrically with gray parts, as shown in the figure. What fraction of the sign's area was painted?
(a) $\frac{1}{2}$
(b) $\frac{1}{3}$
(c) $\frac{3}{8}$
(d) $\frac{6}{13}$
(e) $\frac{7}{11}$

![](https://cdn.mathpix.com/cropped/2024_05_01_666a1aec7e447b0a6cbeg-007.jpg?height=360&width=394&top_left_y=2204&top_left_x=1502)
The correct option is (c).

By drawing parallels to the sides, we can divide the plate into squares of 1 meter on each side, as indicated in the figure. Then, the painted area is equal to 12 halves of these squares, or, equivalently, 6 of these squares. Since the total plate has 16 of these squares, we conclude that the fraction of the painted area in relation to the area of the plate is $\frac{6}{16}=\frac{3}{8}$.

![](https://cdn.mathpix.com/cropped/2024_05_01_666a1aec7e447b0a6cbeg-045.jpg?height=339&width=193&top_left_y=680&top_left_x=1340)

![](https://cdn.mathpix.com/cropped/2024_05_01_666a1aec7e447b0a6cbeg-045.jpg?height=49&width=89&top_left_y=775&top_left_x=1349)