6.1.2

Simplifying Ratios

Test yourself

Simplifying Ratios

You can also simplify a ratio by using division. You need to find a common factor in both parts of the ratio to simplify it.

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8 : 40

  • The ratio 8 : 40 can be simplified.
    • You need to find a common factor to divide both 8 and 40 by.
    • A common factor is a number which divides into both numbers without any remainders.
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8 and 40 are in the 4× table

  • 8 and 40 are both in the 4× table.
    • 4 is a common factor of 8 and 40.
  • You can divide both sides by 4 to simplify to ratio to 2 : 10.
    • Remember you have to do the same calculation to both sides of the ratio.
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Take it further

  • Can you simplify 2 : 10 even further?
    • You need to find out if there is a common factor of 2 and 10
    • 2 and 10 are both in the 2× table.
    • 2 is a common factor of 2 and 10
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Divide by 2

  • You can divide both sides by 2 to simplify to ratio to 1 : 5.
    • Remember you have to do the same calculation to both sides of the ratio.
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Can you simplify further?

  • 1 is the only common factor of 1 and 5.
    • Dividing by 1 wouldn't change the numbers in the ratio.
    • 1 : 5 is as simple as the ratio will get.
  • The ratio 8 : 40 can be simplified to 1 : 5.

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

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