Aiden needs to find the percent of shaded squares in the bar diagram. Which model should he use?

Question

A grid model with 20 squares. 16 squares are shaded.

A grid model with 100 squares. 16 squares are shaded.
A grid model with 100 squares. 60 squares are shaded.
A grid model with 100 squares. 80 squares are shaded.

Answer 1

To find the percent of shaded squares in the bar diagram, Aiden should use a model that clearly represents the percentage calculation.

1. A grid model with 20 squares and 16 squares shaded: This would give a shaded percentage of \( \frac{16}{20} = 0.8 \) or 80%.

2. A grid model with 100 squares and 16 squares shaded: This gives a shaded percentage of \( \frac{16}{100} = 0.16 \) or 16%.

3. A grid model with 100 squares and 60 squares shaded: This results in a shaded percentage of \( \frac{60}{100} = 0.6 \) or 60%.

4. A grid model with 100 squares and 80 squares shaded: This gives a shaded percentage of \( \frac{80}{100} = 0.8 \) or 80%.

The choice of the model depends on what Aiden needs. If he wants a straightforward percentage representation, using a grid model with 100 squares is often preferred because it makes calculations and visual interpretations of percentages easier and more intuitive.

Based on the task of finding the percent of shaded squares specifically, the recommended model would be A grid model with 100 squares. 80 squares are shaded. This representation gives a clear view of percentages in a familiar 100 point scale.