Six squares are drawn and shaded as shown. What fraction of the total area is shaded?

![](https://cdn.mathpix.com/cropped/2024_04_20_ac36362783317e0251fdg-142.jpg?height=144&width=742&top_left_y=950&top_left_x=686)
(A) $\frac{1}{2}$
(B) $\frac{1}{3}$
(C) $\frac{1}{4}$
(D) $\frac{2}{5}$
(E) $\frac{2}{3}$
Six squares are drawn and shaded as shown. What fraction of the total area is shaded?

![](https://cdn.mathpix.com/cropped/2024_04_20_33a8a6559d675f59baa2g-287.jpg?height=165&width=876&top_left_y=1213&top_left_x=622)
(A) $\frac{1}{2}$
(B) $\frac{1}{3}$
(C) $\frac{1}{4}$
(D) $\frac{2}{5}$
(E) $\frac{2}{3}$

## Solution

Out of a possible six squares, there is the equivalent of two shaded squares.

Thus $\frac{1}{3} \mathrm{rd}$ of the figure is shaded.

ANSWER: (B)