6.1.1

Using Ratios

Test yourself

Ratios

Ratios describe how numbers change in relation to each other. For example, if I double the amount of flour in a recipe, then I will need to double all of the other ingredients as well.

Illustrative background for Ratios in recipesIllustrative background for Ratios in recipes ?? "content

Ratios in recipes

  • A recipe says that for every 1 g of sugar, you need 5 g of flour.
    • The ratio of sugar to flour is 1 : 5.
Illustrative background for Using ratiosIllustrative background for Using ratios ?? "content

Using ratios

  • If I use 10 g of sugar, how much flour will I need?
    • I used 10× as much sugar.
    • So I need 10× as much flour.
    • You must do the same calculation to both sides of the ratio.
  • 10 g of sugar needs 50 g of flour.
Illustrative background for Another exampleIllustrative background for Another example ?? "content

Another example

  • A class has 3 girls for every 2 boys.
    • Our ratio of girls to boys would be 3 : 2.
Illustrative background for Example QuestionIllustrative background for Example Question ?? "content

Example Question

  • If there were 8 boys in a class, how many girls would there be?
    • You have multiplied the number of boys in the ratio by 4 to make 8 (2 × 4 = 8).
Illustrative background for Multiply both sides by 4Illustrative background for Multiply both sides by 4 ?? "content

Multiply both sides by 4

  • You need to multiply both sides by the same amount to keep the ratio the same.
    • You need to multiply 3 by 4 to find out how many girls there are in the class (3 × 4 = 12).
Illustrative background for Final answerIllustrative background for Final answer ?? "content

Final answer

  • There are 12 girls and 8 boys in the class.

Jump to other topics

1Year 5 - Number

2Year 5 - Measurement

3Year 5 - Geometry

4Year 5 - Statistics

5Year 6 - Number

6Year 6 - Ratio & Proportion

7Year 6 - Algebra

8Year 6 - Measurement

9Year 6 - Statistics

9.1Displaying Data

9.2Averages

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium