Unit 4: Ratios
A ratio is used to show a relationship between two numbers or a comparison of two items. The numbers are separated by a colon ( : ) as in x : y
For example, 3 nurses and 4 medical assistants working a clinic shift can form a ratio of 3:4
The relationship can represent something as simple as the 1:3 ration commonly used to mix frozen juices. We use 1 can of frozen juice concentrate to 3 cans of water. Ratios are fractions that represent a part-to-whole relationship. Often when we work with ratios, we use the fraction format to reduce the ratio to it's simplest form.
Ratios should always be reduced to the lowest form. For example, 8 hours of sleep to 24 hours in a day would be expressed as:
8 : 24 ---> 824 Reduce. Both numbers are divisible by 8, so the ratio is 1 : 3
PRACTICE
Write the following relationships as ratios using a colon. Reduce to the lowest terms, if necessary.\
1. 5 days out of 7 days 6. 12 shoes to 28 socks
2. Eight teeth out of thirty-two teeth 7. 4 Medical Assistants to 1 doctor
3. 3 students out of 15 students 8. 9 flu vaccines to 29 immunizations
4. 16 scalpels to 45 syringes 9. 42 miles to 2 gallons of gasoline
5. 7 oranges to 14 apples 10. 8 tablets to 2 capsules
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