What is a ratio?
A ratio shows how much of one thing there is compared to another.
Ratios are usually written in the form:
a:b
If you are making orange squash and you mix one part orange to four parts water, then the ratio of orange to water will be 1:4 (1 to 4).
The order in which a ratio is stated is important. Changing the order of the numbers in a ratio changes the proportions.
Watch: Ratios
How to simplify ratios
The ratio of red to blue dinosaurs is 12:18.
This ratio can be simplified. Both 12 and 18 can be divided by 2.
12 梅 2 = 6
18 梅 2 = 9
So a simpler way to write 12:18 is 6:9.
12:18 = 6:9
The ratio can be made simpler again, if we divide by 3.
6 梅 3 = 2
9 梅 3 = 3
So an even simpler way to write 12:18 is 2:3.
12:18 = 2:3
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