RATIO

Simplifying ratios
Ratios are used to compare one quantity with another quantity.

If there are 6 red sweets and 2 green sweets then the ratio of red
to green can be written as
red : green = 6 : 2

Rearranging the sweets shows

that for every 3 red sweets
there is 1 green sweet.

red : green = 3 : 1
Ratios are simplified in a similar way to fractions.
6:2 Divide both sides of the ratio
÷2 ÷2
=3:1 by the common factor 2.

A ratio in its simplest form (lowest terms) has

integer values that cannot be cancelled further.
Examples

1 Simplify these ratios.

a 49 : 28 b 36 : 48

49 : 28 36 : 48
÷7 ÷7 ÷ 12 ÷ 12
=7:4 =3:4

2 Simplify these ratios.

a 0.6 : 0.7 b 1.2 : 3.4

0.6 : 0.7 1.2 : 3.4

× 10 ×10 × 10 × 10
=6:7 = 12 : 34
÷2 ÷2
= 6 : 17
3 Simplify these ratios.
a 3 : 1 b 2 : 4
4 2 3 5

3 1 2 4
: :
×4 4 2 ×4 × 15 3 5 × 15
=3:2 = 10 : 12
÷2 ÷2
=5:6

4 Simplify these ratios.

a 9 cm : 2 m b 3 kg : 200 g

9 cm : 2 m 3 kg : 200 g
= 9 : 200 = 3000 : 200
÷ 100 ÷ 100
= 30 : 2
÷2 ÷2
= 15 : 1
Dividing quantities in a given ratio

Paulo wants to share $20 between Alano and Bernardo in the ratio 3 : 2.
This means that the $20 is divided into 3 + 2 = 5 parts.
Each part is worth $20 ÷ 5 = $4.

Alano receives 3 parts. Bernardo receives 2 parts.

$4 $4 $4 $4 $4

Alano receives $12. Bernardo receives $8.

Example
Paulo wants to share $54 between Alano, Bernardo and Carlos in the
ratio 2 : 1 : 3. How much does each receive?

Total number of parts = 2 + 1 + 3 =

6
Value of 1 part = $54 ÷ 6 = $9

Alano Bernardo Carlos

$9 $9 $9 $9 $9 $9

Alano receives $18. Bernardo receives $9. Carlos receives $27.