How To Find Ratios

A ratio is a way of comparing the quantity, amount or size of two or more things. Using the following information, you will learn how to find a ratio and how to write it three different ways: A pet store has 8 dogs, 10 cats and 15 birds.

Find the Ratio of Birds to Cats

Step 1

Pay close attention to the order of things you are comparing; the ratio must be written in the same order. There are 15 birds and 10 cats, so the ratio is 15 to 10. You can also write this as 15:10 or 15/10.

Step 2

Simplify the ratio. Notice that 15/10 is a fraction. Remember that to simplify fractions, you divide both numerator and denominator by the greatest common factor (GCF). Dividing both 15 and 10 by 5 gives you the simplified fraction 3/2. 15 to 10 becomes 3 to 2, and 15:10 becomes 3:2.

Step 3

Restate the question in the answer to be sure that you put things in the right order. "The ratio of birds to cats is 3:2." What this means is that for every three birds in the store, there are two cats.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)

A ratio can be either a proper fraction or an improper fraction.

Warning

Word problems often provide extra information. Don't think you must use all of the numbers just because they are there.

Cite This Article

MLA

Writer, Contributing. "How To Find Ratios" sciencing.com, https://www.sciencing.com/ratios-5025710/. 16 May 2009.

APA

Writer, Contributing. (2009, May 16). How To Find Ratios. sciencing.com. Retrieved from https://www.sciencing.com/ratios-5025710/

Chicago

Writer, Contributing. How To Find Ratios last modified March 24, 2022. https://www.sciencing.com/ratios-5025710/

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