6th grade Q2

A ratio is a way to compare two or more quantities to show the relationship between them. It tells you how much of one thing there is compared to another.  

Ratios can be written in three ways:

• Word form
• Colon form
• Fraction form

Example:

You have 9 bananas and 6 pears.

The ratio of bananas to pears can be expressed as:

• Word form: 9 to 6
• Colon form: 9:6
• Fraction form: $\frac{9}{6}$

So for every 9 bananas, there are 6 pears.

The ratio of pears to bananas can be expressed as:

• Word form: 6 to 9
• Colon form: 6:9
• Fraction form: $\frac{6}{9}$

So for every 6 pears, there are 9 bananas. This is the same as above, but the  ratios are different.

The order in which the ratio is expressed is very important. The order of the terms in a ratio must correspond to the order of objects being compared. This means that when you talk about a ratio, the sequence in which you mention the numbers must match the sequence in which you introduce the items being compared.

Ratios can be reduced in the same way as fractions. 6 and 9 are both divisible by 3, so the ratio of pears to bananas can also be expressed like this:

• Word form: 2 to 3
• Colon form: 2:3
• Fraction form: $\frac{2}{3}$

Remember:

A ratio is a way to compare two or more quantities to show the relationship between them. It tells you how much of one thing there is compared to another.