What is a Ratio?

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A ratio shows a relationship between different amounts.

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How do I write a ratio?

 

Let's say you went to the grocery store and you bought 6 apples and 3 oranges.

How would you write the ratio of apples to oranges?

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You can write the ratio in 3 different ways:

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1. Using a colon: 6:3

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2. Using fraction notation:

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3. Using the word "to": 6 to 3

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Notice that for each answer, we put apples first. The order of a ratio is very important! Whichever word came first in the ratio (when expressed in words), its number must come first in the ratio. If the ratio had been "there are 5 boys for every 7 girls", then the ratio should be 5 to 7.

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Watch the video below for a more in-depth look at ratios!

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How are ratios used in the real world?

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Example One: You are at the store and you see a bag of chips on sale. The sale is 2 bags of chips for $5.00. This is an example of a ratio! 

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Example Two: You are baking cookies. One recipe makes 24 chocolate chip cookies. The ratio would be 1:24! You can also express this ratio as, "for every one recipe, there are 24 cookies."

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