2-6 Ratios, Rates, and Conversions

Objectives

To find ratios and rates

To convert units and rates

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A ratio compares two numbers by division. The ratio of two numbers a and b, where b ≠ 0 , b not equal to 0 comma  can be written in three ways: a b eh over b  a : b, and a to b. For every a units of one quantity, you have b units of another quantity.

You can also think of a ratio as a multiplicative relationship. For example, if the ratio of the number of boys to the number of girls in a class is 2 : 1, then the number of boys is two times the number of girls.

A ratio that compares quantities measured in different units is called a rate. A rate with a denominator of 1 unit is a unit rate. In the Solve It, you can express each athlete's speed as the number of meters traveled per 1 second of time. This is an example of a unit rate.

Essential Understanding You can write ratios and find unit rates to compare quantities. You can also convert units and rates to solve problems.

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