Ratios Introduction — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
Theres 5 bananas and 2 oranges, so the ratio is 5/2.
Corrected: There are 5 bananas and 2 oranges, so the ratio is 5:2.
Theres is not a standard contraction, and there are agrees with plural nouns.
2. Fix the sentence:
The ratio of 8 boys for 5 girls is 8:5.
Corrected: The ratio of 8 boys to 5 girls is 8:5.
Standard ratio language uses to or a colon to connect the two compared quantities.
3. Fix the sentence:
She have 3 pencils and 6 pens, ratio is 3:6.
Corrected: She has 3 pencils and 6 pens, so the ratio is 3:6.
Singular subjects like she pair with has, and so connects related ideas smoothly.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A bag has 4 red marbles and 6 blue marbles; the ratio of red to blue is 4:6.
Red comes before blue in the question, so write 4 first and 6 second.
2. If a class has 12 girls and 10 boys, the ratio of boys to girls is 10:12.
The order of words sets the order of numbers, giving 10 boys to 12 girls.
3. The ratio 7:3 written using the word to is 7 to 3.
Both forms describe the same comparison; only the connector changes.
4. A vase holds 9 roses and 4 lilies; the ratio of lilies to all flowers is 4:13.
There are 13 flowers total, and 4 are lilies, giving the ratio 4:13.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Explain how a ratio is different from a single count.
Sample answer: A count tells how many of one thing; a ratio compares two amounts side by side.
Ratios always pair two values, while a count records only one quantity.
2. How would you describe a ratio of 5:1 in your own words?
Sample answer: For every 1 of the second item, there are 5 of the first item.
5:1 means 5 of one quantity match with 1 of the other in each group.