# Rates and ratios

The ratio is the relationship of two numbers. For example you have 2 flashlights and 5 batteries. To compare the ratio between the flashlights and the batteries we divide the set of flashlights with the set of batteries.

The ratio is 2 to 5 or 2:5 or 2/5. All these describe the ratio in different forms of fractions. The ratio can consequently be expressed as fractions or as a decimal. 2:5 in decimals is 0.4.

A rate is a little bit different than the ratio, it is a special ratio. It is a comparison of measurements that have different units, like cents and grams. A unit rate is a rate with a denominator of 1.

Example:

Sarah is buying jellybeans for her best friend's birthday party. She buys a bag of 10 lb of jellybeans that costs \$45. Sarah is wondering how much 1 lb of jellybeans cost.

$\\ \ 45=4500 \, cents\\\\\\ \frac{4500 \: cents}{10\: lb}=\frac{4500 \: cents{\color{green} \, \div\, 10}}{10\: lb{\color{green} \, \div\, 10}}=\frac{450 \: cents}{1\: lb} \\\\\\ 1\: lb=450\: cents=\ 4.50\\$

Video lesson: Express the ratio as a fraction in simplest form and as a decimal