The figure below is made up of triangle and a rectangle. The area of the rectangle is twice the area of the triangle. $\frac{1}{8}$ of the rectangle is shaded. What is the ratio of the shaded area to the total area of the figure? Ans: ___

1. Express the shaded area in terms of units based on the rectangle.

Let the area of the rectangle be $8$ units.
Since $\frac{1}{8}$ of the rectangle is shaded, the shaded area is $1$ unit.

2. Find the area of the triangle in units.

The area of the rectangle is twice the area of the triangle.
Area of triangle = $8 \text{ units} \div 2 = 4 \text{ units}$.

3. Calculate the total area of the figure.

The total area of the figure is the sum of the areas of the rectangle and the triangle, minus the overlapping shaded area (since it is counted twice if we just add the two areas).
Total area = Area of rectangle + Area of triangle - Shaded area
Total area = $8 + 4 - 1 = 11 \text{ units}$.

4. Find the ratio of the shaded area to the total area.

Ratio = Shaded area : Total area
Ratio = $1 : 11$