Review of Introductory Mathematics
PERCENTAGES
Ratio
Two numbers may be compared by expressing the relative size as the quotient of one number
divided by the other and is called a ratio. Ratios are simplified fractions written with a colon
(:) instead of a division bar or slash.
Example:
One day Eric paid 0 for a stereo and Scott paid 0 for the same stereo. Compare
the amount that Eric paid to the amount that Scott paid, using ratios.
Solution:
Step 1:
Divide the numbers to be compared. In this example the amount paid by
Scott is being compared to the amount paid by Eric. The amount paid by
Eric is divided by the amount paid by Scott =
.
700
600
Step 2:
Simplifying this expression, both 700 and 600 can be divided by 100.
Step 3:
Expressing this fraction as a ratio:
or Eric’s price : Scott’s price = 7:6
Eric s price
Scott s price
7
6
Example:
If one yard equals three feet, what is the ratio of yards to feet?
Solution:
Step 1:
1 yd./ 3 ft.
Step 2:
is already in simplest terms
1
3
Step 3:
or yards : feet = 1:3
yards
feet
1
3
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MA-01
