A ratio compares values.
From the image above, there are 20 blue squares to 24 yellow square. A ratio says how much of one thing there is compared to another thing.
Ratios can be shown in different ways:
- Use the ":" to separate the values: 20 : 24
- Instead of the ":" you can use the word "to": 20 to 24
- Write it like a fraction: 20/24
A ratio can be scaled up:
The ratio 20 blue squares to 24 yelow squares can be scaled up or scale down.
The trick is to always multiply the numbers by the same value to scale up
e.g. 20 x 2 : 24 x 2 = 40:48 - so the ratio 40:48 is the same with 20:24
or divide the numbers by the same value to scale down / simplify
e.g. 20 : 4 to 24 : 4 = 5 to 6 - so the ration 5:6 is the same with 20:24
Try it yourself:
Now by looking at the example from the image above. Make your own ratio pattern and explain the ratio just like the given example.
Sample of explanation:
there are 20 blue squares to 24 yellow square.
ratio = 20:24
equal ratio = 5:6
To learn more about ratio, scale and proportion http://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/ratio.html
http://www.math.com/school/subject1/lessons/S1U2L2GL.html