Ratio means comparison of two numbers. As we compare oranges with bananas, ratio compares two numbers. Ratio of two numbers x and y is expressed as x/y or x: y.Usually, SAT Math Ratio Problems ask you to take the ratio of two numbers. All you have to do is to identify x and y. Remember wrong identification will result in wrong answer. Suppose you identify x as y or vice versa you are going to take wrong ratio. The whole secret of how to determine ratio in math problem easily lies in correct identification of two numbers in math problem. Now the question is how to identify two numbers correctly? The answer is simple and needs your careful observation. Math ratio problem normally asks to find ratio of number to the other number. Now concentrate on preposition “to” that is between the two numbers. Remember the number that follows the “to” is y. Remaining number is always x. We illustrate this in following examples.
How to determine ratio in math problem easily? Example 1
What is the ratio of 3 feet to 9 feet?
Solution
First locate “to”. The number that follows is 9. This 9 is y. Remaining number 3 is x. So the ratio of 3 to 9 is 3/9. Now reducing it to its lowest terms, the answer is 1/3.
How to determine ratio in math problem easily? Example 2
In a chemistry class, there are 25 male students and 75 female students. What is ratio of the male students to the female students?
Solution
First locate “to”. It is in the last sentence (male students to the female students). Female students follows “to”, hence 75 is y. Remaining number 25 will be x. So the ratio of 25 to 75 is 25/75. Now reducing it to its lowest terms, the answer is 1/3.
This is how to determine ratio in math problem easily.