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Quantity as a Ratio or a Fraction

Quantity as a Ratio or a Fraction

A fraction shows the relationship between an amount and its whole. Note that the denominator will be the total amount.

A ratio shows the relationship between two amounts as parts of a whole. Note that the two parts will add up to the total amount.

Example 1

Wages are paid to Jack and Oliver. Jack received £30, while Oliver received £50. What was the ratio for the amount paid out between Jack and Oliver? Give the ratio in its simplest form.

The amount paid out was in the ratio 30:50, which simplifies to 3:5 (divide both by 10).

Answer: 3:5

Example 2

What fraction of the total amount paid out did Oliver receive?

The total amount paid out was £80.

The fraction earned by Oliver was `frac(50)(80)` which simplifies to `frac(5)(8)`

Answer: `frac(5)(8)`