A ratio is a comparison between two values. Ratios can be written in a variety of ways:
a : b a to b a/b
Ratios are used to compare numbers that are related to each other, such as the price for a certain number of items or the distance traveled in a certain amount of time. They can also be used to compare the side lengths of similar figures.
For instance, if it costs $3.14 for 2 pounds of peanuts, we could write that ratio as:
$3.14 : 2lbs $3.14 for 2lbs. $3.14/2lbs
Ratios always need to be simplified as much as possible, just like fractions. When we simplify a ratios down to a measure of some value compared to one, it is called a Unit Rate.
For instance, I can buy a 6-pack of CD's from my local music store for $21. My ratio for this would be 21 to 6 or 21/6. If I want to know how much that costs for just one CD, I have to simplify my ratio down to 1 CD:
a : b a to b a/b
Ratios are used to compare numbers that are related to each other, such as the price for a certain number of items or the distance traveled in a certain amount of time. They can also be used to compare the side lengths of similar figures.
For instance, if it costs $3.14 for 2 pounds of peanuts, we could write that ratio as:
$3.14 : 2lbs $3.14 for 2lbs. $3.14/2lbs
Ratios always need to be simplified as much as possible, just like fractions. When we simplify a ratios down to a measure of some value compared to one, it is called a Unit Rate.
For instance, I can buy a 6-pack of CD's from my local music store for $21. My ratio for this would be 21 to 6 or 21/6. If I want to know how much that costs for just one CD, I have to simplify my ratio down to 1 CD:
The "H-chart" shown in the image above is an excellent way to keep your ratios equivalent and to make sure you are simplifying correctly.