Ratios
When we express ratios in words, we use the word "to"--we say "the ratio of something to something else." Ratios can be written in several different ways: as a fraction, using the word "to", or with a colon.
Writing a comparison in the form of a ratio
A farmer has 3 cats and 7 dogs. Write down the ratio of:
a) cats to dogs.
b) dogs to cats.
The Answer:
a) Cats to Dogs
Cats = Dogs
3 : 7
b) Dogs to Cats
Dogs = Cats
7 : 3
Splitting a quantity in a given ratio
$30 is shared between Ken and John in the ratio 2:1. How much does each get?
The Answer:
(If something is split in the ratio 2:1, then there are 3 'parts' altogether.)
Using a ratio
The ratio of girls to boys in the school disco was 3:1. If there were 50 boys there, how many girls were at the disco?
The Answer:
Boys = 1 part = 50 students
Girls = 3 parts = 3 x 50
= 150 students
There were 150 girls at the disco
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