A ratio is a way to compare two quantities by showing the relative size of one to the other. You can write a ratio using a colon (3:2), the word “to” (3 to 2), or as a fraction (\(\frac{3}{2}\)).
A rate is a special type of ratio where the two quantities have different units, such as miles per hour or price per item.
Ratios and rates help us in many everyday situations, like cooking recipes, comparing prices, or finding out how fast something is moving.
To find a unit rate, divide the first quantity by the second so that the second quantity is 1. For example, if you spend $8 for 4 sandwiches, the unit rate is $2 per sandwich.
You can use tables, double number lines, or diagrams to make sense of ratios and rates.
Ratios and rates show up when mixing paint colors, adjusting recipes, or even in sports statistics!
There are 12 girls and 8 boys in a class. The ratio of girls to boys is 12:8 or 3:2.
A car travels 150 miles in 3 hours, so its rate is 50 miles per hour.
Ratios compare quantities, and rates compare quantities with different units, helping us make sense of real-life situations.