Writing Ratios Using Different Notations

A ratio tells us how much there is of a quantity as compared to another.

The ratio of A to B is read as A is to B and written as A:B

The numbers A and B are called terms of the ratio with A being called the antecedent and B being called the consequent.

The order in a ratio is important. The ratio A:B is not same as B:A

Notation

The ratio of A to B is read as A is to B and ‘A is to B’ is the word notation of the ratio A:B

The number notation of the ratio A to B is A:B; A ratio is written with a colon between the two quantities that are being compared. For example, the ratio of 2 to 5 is written as 2:5.

A ratio can also be written in fraction notation with a horizontal bar separating the two quantities, for example the ratio 3:7 is written as $frac{3}{7}$.

Write the word notation, number notation and fraction notation for the following ratio −

There are 2 boys and 3 girls. The ratio of boys to girl is …

Solution

Step 1:

The word notation for the ratio of boys to girls is 2 is to 3

Step 2:

The number notation for the ratio of boys to girls is 2:3

Step 3:

The fraction notation for the ratio of boys to girls is $frac{2}{3}$

Step 4:

Ratio of boys to girls is 2:3 and the ratio of girls to boys is 3:2

There are 3 apples and 4 oranges; Find the ratio of oranges to all fruits

Solution

Step 1:

There are 3 apples and 4 oranges. The total number of fruits = 3 + 4 = 7

Step 2:

So the ratio of oranges to all fruits is 4:7