MATHEMATICS 8

UNIT 5
Ratio
Three-Term Ratios
Equivalent Ratios and Proportion
Rate
Comparing Unit Rates/Prices
 RATIO

A ratio is a comparison of numbers with the same

units. It is written as follows:

term 1:2 term

This symbol means “compared to”

This ratio would be read “one compared to two”

RATIOS AND FRACTIONS
Ratios can also be written as fractions

The first term of the

1 ratio becomes the

numerator of the
fraction. The second

1:2 =
term of the fraction
becomes the
denominator of the
fraction.

2 This also works in

reverse to create a ratio
from a fraction.
 THREE TERM RATIO
A three term ratio is simply a ratio with three terms.

term
1:2:4 term

term
This ratio is read “one compared
to two compared to four.”
 EQUIVALENT RATIOS
As with fractions, any time you multiply all the terms
of a ratio by the same number, you produce an
equivalent ratio.

x2

2:3 = 4:6
x2
This also works with division
 EQUIVALENT RATIOS AND
PROPORTIONS
You can use equivalent ratios to help you solve
proportion questions.
Remember: Whatever you do to the bottom, you
Example 1 have to do to the top. Whatever you do to the top,
you have to do to the bottom.

Compare the corresponding parts of each fractions

5 X and look for relationships. Five will not divide into

= X but six will divide into eighteen.

6 18 6 must be multiplied by 3 to get 18. Since you

multiplied the bottom number by 3, you must also
multiply the top number by 3.
x3 5 15
=
6 18
Example 2
x4

2:5 = X:20
x4

2:5 = 8:20
 RATE
A RATE IS A COMPARISON OF TWO NUMBERS
WITH DIFFERENT UNITS
A RATE IS USUALLY WRITTEN AS A UNIT RATE
IN WHICH THE SECOND TERM REPRESENTS 1
UNIT

90 km / hr Hours
(time)

Kilometres Different Units

(distance)

At this rate, an object will travel 90 km in 1 hour

 RATE
RATE FOR 1

Example 1: A case of 24 Pepsi on sale for $4.99.

How much does each can of Pepsi cost?
$4.99 = 499 cents

499 cents/ 24 cans

? cents / 1 can
 divide by 24 to get the cost of one can of Pepsi

499 : 24 = ? : 1
divide by 24 to get one can of Pepsi

499 cents divided by 24 cans of Pepsi = 20.79 cents / can

499 : 24 = 20.79 : 1
Each can of Pepsi costs 20.79 cents
Example 2: You make $100 to work an 8 hour
shift. How much do you make an hour?

Quick Answer: Divide the $100 by the number of

hours to find your hourly rate of pay.
divided by

100 / 8 = 12.50
You make $12.50 / hr
 SCALE DRAWINGS
SCALE DRAWINGS ARE USED WHEN IT IS
IMPOSSIBLE TO DRAW SOMETHING ON PAPER
BECAUSE OF ITS SIZE, EITHER LARGE OR SMALL

Every scale drawing, like a blueprint or map,

has a scale, which is a ratio comparing the length
of the drawing on paper compared to the length
of the actual object in real life.
The scale on a drawing of a crocodile is 1 : 60
measured in centimetres. The crocodile is 10 cm
long on paper. How long is the actual crocodile?

1 : 60 = 10 : ?
scale actual measurements of length

1 : 60 = 10 : ?
paper real life paper real life
 x 10

1cm : 60cm = 10cm : ?cm

x 10

60 cm x 10 = 600 cm

1cm : 60cm = 10cm : 600cm

The crocodile is 600 cm in real life
 THE METRIC LADDER
KILOMETRES (km)

HECTOMETRES (hm)

THE DECIMAL DECAMETRES (dam) THE DECIMAL

MOVES ONE MOVES ONE
PLACE TO THE PLACE TO THE
RIGHT FOR
LEFT FOR EVERY
STEP YOU MOVE
METRES (m) EVERY STEP YOU
UP THE METRIC MOVE DOWN THE
LADDER METRIC LADDER
DECIMETRES (dm)

CENTIMETRES (cm)

MILLIMETRES (mm)