A ratio is a comparison of two quantities. For example, the ratio of cows to pigs on a farm could be 1 to 3. For every 1 cow, there are 3 pigs. The ratio of chocolate chips to raisins in a cookie could be 5 to 9. For every 5 chocolate chips in the cookie, there are 9 raisins. Do you notice a repeating phrase in these examples? “For every” is key ratio language. It tells you how much of one quantity exists in comparison to the other quantity. A ratio consists of just the numbers, not the units. If someone asked the ratio of chocolate chips to raisins in the cookie example, you’d say 5 to 9. Which of these could you represent with a ratio?

A

how many diet sodas there are in the fridge compared to how many regular sodas

B

the average age of writers for a newspaper

C

the maximum number of people that can fit inside an elevator

D

how many square feet of carpet are needed to completely cover the floor