ratio

Writing ratiosRatios are similar to fractions; they can both be simplified by finding common factors. Always try to divide by the highest common factor. To make pastry you may need to mix 2 parts flour to 1 part fat. This means the ratio of flour to fat is 2:1. It is sometimes useful to write a ratio in the form 1:n or n:1 (where n is any number, possibly a fraction or decimal). This means we will not necessarily be dealing with whole numbers. If we are asked to write the ratio 2:5 in the form 1:n, we need to make the left-hand side of the ratio equal to 1. We do this by dividing both sides of the ratio by 2. 2:5 = 2/2 : 5/2 = 1 : 2.5

Dividing in ratiosRatios are also used when dividing up amounts. Share £200 in the ratio 2:3 This means share the money into 5 equal parts and give one person 2 shares, and the other 3 So 200/5 = 40, one person gets 2 x £40 = £80 and the other 3 x £40 = £120 Check that this adds up to the total, in this case £200 Sometimes you are given one half of the ratio and you have to work out the total. 2100 is the '3' in 3:5 2100 divided by 3 = 700 700 x (3+5 = 8) = 5600