simplifying ratios

ratios can be fully simplified just like fractions. to simplify a ratio, divide all numbers in the ration by the same number until they cannot be divided any more.

example

simplify - 6:12

divide both numbers by 2

6:12 = 3:6

divide both numbers by 3

3:6 = 1:2

a quick way of doing this in just one step is to divide by the highest common factor of all of the numbers in the ratio. in this eaxmple the highest common factor of 6 and 12 is 6. dividing each number by the HCF

6:12 = 1:2

sharing in a given ratio

lots of things in everday life are shared in ratios. money is shared, liquids are mixed and teams are assigned using ratios. drawing a diagram to represent the ratio can make these tasks easier.

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