6.1.2

Simplifying Ratios

Test yourself on Simplifying Ratios

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

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.

8 : 40

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.
8 and 40 are in the 4× table

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.
Take it further

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
Divide by 2

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.
Can you simplify further?

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
1

Year 5 - Number

1.1

Number & Place Value

1.1.1The Value of Digits to Millions1.1.2Smallest & Biggest Numbers to Millions1.1.3Ordering Numbers to Millions1.1.4Counting in Powers of 101.1.5Counting in Negative Numbers1.1.6Rounding Numbers up to 1,000,0001.1.7Reading Roman Numerals
1.2

Addition & Subtraction

1.2.1Written Methods for Adding Large Numbers1.2.2Written Methods for Subtracting Large Numbers1.2.3Mental Addition & Subtraction1.2.4Rounding to Check Your Answer
1.3

Multiplication & Division

1.3.1Multiples1.3.2Factors1.3.3Prime Numbers1.3.4Prime Factors1.3.5Composite Numbers1.3.6Factor Trees1.3.7Multiplication by a 1 Digit Number1.3.8Long Multiplication Using Column Method1.3.9Times Tables1.3.10Division1.3.11Multiplying & Dividing by 10, 100 & 1,0001.3.12Square & Cube Numbers
1.4

Fractions & Decimals

1.4.1Compare & Order Fractions1.4.2Identifying Equivalent Fractions1.4.3Add & Subtract Fractions1.4.4Mixed Numbers & Improper Fractions1.4.5Multiplying Fractions by Whole Numbers1.4.6Converting Between Decimals & Fractions1.4.7Rounding Decimals1.4.8Ordering Decimals
2

Year 5 - Measurement

2.1

Measures

2.1.1Metric Measurements2.1.2Imperial Measurements
2.2

Perimeter & Area

2.2.1Perimeter2.2.2Area
2.3

Time

2.3.1Units of Time
3

Year 5 - Geometry

3.1

Properties of 3D Shapes

3.1.1Types of 3D Shapes3.1.2Faces, Edges & Vertices
3.2

Properties of 2D Shapes

3.2.1Polygons
3.3

Angles

3.3.1Angles in Degrees3.3.2Types of Angle3.3.3Finding Missing Angles
3.4

Position & Direction

3.4.1Reflection & Translation
4

Year 5 - Statistics

4.1

Graphs

4.1.1Line Graphs4.1.2Tables4.1.3Timetables
5

Year 6 - Number

5.1

Number & Place Value

5.1.1The Value of Digits to Ten Millions5.1.2Ordering Numbers to Millions5.1.3Rounding5.1.4Negative Numbers
5.2

Multiplication & Division

5.2.1Multiplication by a 2 Digit Number5.2.2Division5.2.3Multiples5.2.4Factors5.2.5Primes
5.3

Mental Maths

5.3.1Multiplying & Dividing by 10, 100 & 1,0005.3.2Addition & Subtraction5.3.3Adding & Subtracting 10, 100 & 1,0005.3.4Multiplication & Division
5.4

Order of Operations

5.4.1BIDMAS
5.5

Problem Solving

5.5.1Addition & Subtraction Multi-step Problems5.5.2Problem Solving with Proportion
5.6

Fractions & Decimals

5.6.1Simplifying Fractions Using Equivalents5.6.2Ordering Different Types of Fraction5.6.3Adding & Subtracting Fractions5.6.4Adding & Subtracting Mixed Numbers5.6.5Multiplying Fractions5.6.6Dividing Fractions by Whole Numbers5.6.7Converting Between Decimals & Fractions5.6.8Dividing Decimals
6

Year 6 - Ratio & Proportion

6.1

Ratio

6.1.1Using Ratios6.1.2Simplifying Ratios
6.2

Percentages

6.2.1Calculating Percentages
6.3

Scale

6.3.1Scale of 2D Shapes
7

Year 6 - Algebra

7.1

Sequences

7.1.1Describing Sequences7.1.2Finding Gaps in Sequences
7.2

Missing Number Problems

7.2.1Missing Number Problems
7.3

Equations

7.3.1Balancing Equations7.3.2Combining Two Variables
8

Year 6 - Measurement

8.1

Problem Solving

8.1.1Problem Solving with Measures
8.2

Unit Conversion

8.2.1Conversion Between Miles & Kilometres
8.3

Perimeter, Area & Volume

8.3.1Area8.3.2Volume8.3.3Nets8.3.4Faces, Edges & Vertices
8.4

Angles

8.4.1Types of Angle8.4.2Finding Missing Angles8.4.3Finding Missing Angles in Triangles8.4.4Vertically Opposite Angles
8.5

Circles

8.5.1Parts of a Circle
8.6

Coordinate Grids

8.6.1Positions on Coordinate Grids8.6.2Reflection & Translation
9

Year 6 - Statistics

9.1

Displaying Data

9.1.1Pie Charts9.1.2Line Graphs
9.2

Averages

9.2.1Mean

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

Using Ratios

Calculating Percentages