Ratio and Proportion Definitions

A comparison of two quantities, showing how many times one value contains or is contained within the other. It can be expressed in several forms, such as a fraction (1/2), with a colon (1:2), or with the word "to" (1 to 2).

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Ratio

An equation that states two ratios are equal. This shows how two ratios relate to each other.

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Proportion

A piece or segment of a whole. In ratios, parts make up.

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Whole

Ratios that express the same relationship between quantities, even if the numbers are different.

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Equivalent ratios

A method used to solve proportions. You multiply the numerator of one ratio by the denominator of the other ratio and set the products equal to each other.

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Cross - multiplication

A number used to multiply the dimensions of a shape to increase or decrease its size while maintaining the same proportions.

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Scale factor

A specific kind of ratio that compares two quantities with different units, such as miles per hour (mph) or price per item.

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Rate

A rate in which the second quantity is one unit. For example, if a car travels 150 miles in 3 hours, the unit rate is 50 miles per hour (150 miles ÷ 3 hours).

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Unit rate

A mathematical expression that represents the division of one quantity by another.

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Fraction

A ratio expressed as a fraction of 100.

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Percentage