Using Ratios and Solving Proportions

Concept

Rate

A rate is a ratio that compares two quantities measured in different units. For example, if a certain species of bamboo grows 27 feet in height in 2 years, then its rate of growth is 27ft2years. Here are some other example rates.

Some example rates and the corresponding scenarios

Rates are useful when finding how much of something there is per 1 unit of something else. These comparisons are called unit rates. If the given rates are not already unit rates, they can be determined by simplifying the rate until one unit is 1.

Scenario Rate Unit Rate
Kriz finds 20 Pokémon every 10 days. 20 Pokémon per 10 days,
10 Pokémon per 5 days
2 Pokémon per 1 day,
730 Pokémon per 1 year
At a party, 42 candies were eaten by 6 kids. 42 candies per 6 kids,
21 candies per 3 kids
7 candies per 1 kid
Exercises
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