Video and Examples

Using ratios to make decisions. Sample problem here.

After the first dance of the school year, the student council set a goal to increase the rate of participation of boys at school dances. Here is how the first two dances were attended.

  • Dance 1 --> 40 boys and 60 girls
  • Dance 2 --> 50 boys and 100 girls

Is the student council successful in increasing the rate of participation of the boys at school dances?

There are three common methods for answering this question:

Method 1: Ratios with common denominators

Since , the rate of the boys' participation is declining, so the council has NOT met their goal.

Method 2: Unit ratios

Since , the rate of the boys' participation is declining, so the council has NOT met their goal.

Method 3: Ratios with common numerators

Since , the rate of the boys' participation is declining, so the council has NOT met their goal.

 

 

Example 1

Which store has the better deal‌?

  • Store A sells 4 baseballs for $3.
  • Store B sells 5 baseballs for $4.

Here is one method for solving this question...

 

 

Example 2

Whose raffle tickets cost the least?

  • Jamie sells 5 raffle tickets for $10.
  • Patty sells 10 raffle tickets for $15.

Here is one method for solving this question...

 

 

Example 3

Which store has the better deal?

  • Store A sells 12 batteries for $5.28.
  • Store B sells 10 batteries for $4.50.

 

 [show answer]

 

Self-Check

Question 1

Who hit the most homeruns per game?

  • Barry hit 15 homeruns in 20 games.
  • Sammy hit 12 homeruns in 15 games.

 

 [show answer]

Question 2

Which jar of peanut butter is the better deal?

  • SmartShopper sells 24 ounces for $4.50
  • GroceryMania sells 30 ounces for $6.00

 

 [show answer]

Question 3

Who ran at a faster pace?

  • Lisa ran 9 laps in 15 minutes.
  • Jennifer ran 12 laps in 25 minutes.

 

 [show answer]

 
Last modified: Friday, 17 April 2020, 10:21 AM