Numeracy

______________

Application of Number

L2
Workbook 3
Ratio

N1/L2.3
 basic & keySKILLBUILDER
Number
Ratio

N1/L2.3

Division in a given ratio

Rule
Add the ratios together; e.g. 7:3 = 10, divide the amount by this number to
find one share, then multiply.
e.g. share £250 between Paul and Paula in the ratio 2 : 3
2+3=5 £250  5 = £50
1 share = £50
Paul has 2 shares = 2 × 50 = £100
Paula has 3 shares = 3 × 50 = £150

Check that the shares (£100 + £150) are the same as the amount you started with.

Exercise 1

1. Share 36 sweets between Bob and Lyn in the ratio 4:5.

2. Share £84 between Jo and Mel in the ratio 4:3.

3. A 48 acre field is divided into 2 parts in the ratio 7:5. What size is the smaller part?

4. X-rays are in the ratio 2:3 for men and women. Out of 1000 X-rays, how many are for
men?

5. A house builder builds flats and houses in a ratio of 2:5. If he builds 10,360
properties, how many flats is that?

Workbook 3 Level 2 Numeracy/Application of Number  West Nottinghamshire College 2004

2
 basic & keySKILLBUILDER
Number
Ratio

N1/L2.3

Comparing ratios

Rule

Like fractions, ratios must be of the same type before you can compare them

e.g. Mrs Brown’s evening class has a ratio of men : women of 1 : 3

Mr Green’s evening class has a ratio of men : women of 3 : 4
Which class has the greater ratio of men?

If we multiply the first ratio by 3 we get.

1:33:9

so we are comparing
3 : 9 with 3 : 4

There are 3 men to every 9 women in Mrs Brown’s group, whereas there are 3 men to
every 4 women in Mr Green’s group.

The greater ratio of men is in Mr Green’s group.

6. The more cement in a mixture, the stronger it is. Which is the stronger of these?
sand : cement
a) 3 : 1 (multiply by 2)
b) 5 : 2

7. The ratio of men to women at a swimming bath varies. Which has more women,
(a) or (b)?

men : women
a) 1 : 6 (multiply by 2)
b) 2 : 15

8. Cake mixtures vary; from (a) and (b) below choose the one with more fruit.

fruit : other ingredients

a) 2 : 4
b) 6 : 1 (multiply by 4)

Workbook 3 Level 2 Numeracy/Application of Number  West Nottinghamshire College 2004

3