1.1
Understanding Ratio Language
July 9, 2025
Maryam Syed
3
Min Read
AI Summary
A ratio is a way to compare two or more quantities, often written using a colon (e.g., 2:3), a fraction (2/3), or in words (2 to 3). Ratios are used in everyday life—such as in classrooms, cooking, sports, and finance—to understand proportions, make comparisons, and solve real-world problems effectively.
What is a Ratio?
A ratio is a comparison between two or more quantities. It shows the relationship between the quantities of two things.
There are multiple ways to write ratios. The most common use is the “colon”. The symbol for colon is “:” . Here is an example: Using a colon —> 2:3
The other ways to write a ratio are less common but can also be used. You could write the ratio as a fraction or just with words. Here is an example of each:
Using a fraction —> 2/3
Using words —> 2 to 3
Practice
If there are 7 boys and 4 girls in a classroom, what is the ratio of boys to girls?
Ans: 7:4 The ratio is B:G, because the question asked the ratio of boys to girls. If the question asked you for the ratio of girls to boys the answer would be 4:7.
Where do we use ratios the most?
Ratios are a commonly used practice in our daily life. We use it in the following situations:
Classroom Setting
Students: Number of boys to girls in a class.
Classroom: Student to teacher ratio
Marks: Ratio of correct to wrong answers
Cooking Setting
Baking: Flour to sugar ratio in a cake recipe. (Eg. 2 cups:1 cup)
Spices: Ratio of salt to pepper in seasoning.
Sports and Fitness
Teams: Players to substitutes on a team
Training: Minutes running to minutes resting. (Interval training)
Money and Finance
Currency exchange: 1 USD : 145 YEN
Budgeting: Amount saved to amount spent
These are just some of the many ways we use ratios in our everyday life. Ratios are important because they help us compare quantities efficiently, understanding proportions, make decisions in planning, budgeting, and designing, and solve real world problems systematically.