This introduction covers What Is a Ratio? within Ratio Problems for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Ratio Problems in Ratio & Proportion for GCSE Mathematics with 14 exam-style questions and 3 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 1 of 8 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
What Is a Ratio?
A ratio compares two or more quantities. If you mix 2 parts orange juice with 1 part water, the ratio is 2:1. It's like a recipe - it tells you the relative amounts, not the actual amounts. 2:1 means the same as 4:2 or 200:100!
Practice questions for Ratio Problems
A recipe uses flour and sugar in the ratio 5:2. What fraction of the mixture is flour?
The ratio of apples to oranges in a basket is 2:3. Sarah says "2/3 of the fruits are apples." Explain why Sarah is wrong.
Quick recall flashcards
Unit Rule
ALWAYS convert to the SAME units before simplifying (e.g., all in pence, all in minutes)
Simplifying Ratios
Divide ALL parts by their Highest Common Factor (HCF). Keep going until you can't simplify further.