Understanding ratios

Key notes :

🔢 What is a Ratio?

• A ratio compares two quantities of the same kind.
• It shows how much of one thing there is compared to another.
• Example: If there are 2 apples 🍎 and 3 oranges 🍊, the ratio is 2 : 3.

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✍️ Ways to Write a Ratio

• Using colon (:) → 2 : 3
• Using words → 2 to 3
• Using fraction → 2/3

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🎒 Parts of a Ratio

A ratio has two parts:

• First term → number of first quantity
• Second term → number of second quantity

Example: In 4 : 5,

• 4 = first term
• 5 = second term

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🧮 Simplest Form of a Ratio

Ratios should be written in the simplest form.

Divide both terms by their Highest Common Factor (HCF).

Example:

• 6 : 12 → divide by 6 → 1 : 2 ✅

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🧠 Equivalent Ratios

Ratios that represent the same comparison are called equivalent ratios.

Multiply or divide both terms by the same number.

Example:

• 2 : 3 = 4 : 6 = 6 : 9 ✔️

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⚖️ Comparing Ratios

Convert ratios into fractions to compare them.

The ratio with the greater fraction is larger.

Example:

• 3 : 4 → 3/4
• 2 : 3 → 2/3
• Since 3/4 > 2/3, 3 : 4 is greater 📈

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🧩 Ratios in Daily Life

• Mixing juice 🧃 (1 glass juice : 3 glasses water)
• Classroom boys 👦 and girls 👧
• Speed, recipes 🍰, maps 🗺️ and models

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🚫 Important Rules

• Quantities in a ratio must be in the same units 📏
• Ratios do not have units after simplifying
• Always write ratios in simplest form

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🌟 Quick Example

• If a bag has 8 red balls 🔴 and 4 blue balls 🔵
• Ratio of red to blue = 8 : 4 = 2 : 1 ✅

Learn with an example